Damyang County Urges Monitoring and Control of Tomato Pinworm

"Early Monitoring and Timely Chemical Control Are Crucial"

Damyang County has urged tomato farmers to conduct thorough monitoring and control of tomato hornworms. Photo by Damyang County

Damyang County in Jeollanam-do (Governor: Jeong Cheolwon) has launched a campaign to promote thorough monitoring and control of the tomato pinworm among tomato growers, urging them to step up preventive measures.

The tomato pinworm is a pest that prefers plants in the Solanaceae family. It has a strong preference for tomatoes and goes through the developmental stages of egg-larva (instars 1 to 4)-pupa-adult. At a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, one generation takes an average of 24 to 38 days to develop, and there can be as many as 8 to 12 generations per year, indicating a vigorous reproductive capacity.

In particular, the density of occurrence can increase during the hot summer season, making it important for growers to take preventive action in advance. The damage pattern shows that larvae bore holes into plant tissues and feed extensively on the internal tissue.

The young larvae attack leaves, stems, and flowers, while mature larvae burrow into the fruit, causing further damage. Additionally, the larvae are very small, ranging from 0.9 to 7.5 mm, and adults are 6 to 7 mm, making it difficult to block their entry with insect screens in greenhouses. To monitor tomato pinworm, using a sex pheromone trap allows for continuous observation of their presence.

When pests occur, eco-friendly farms can use plant-based organic agricultural materials or mating disruption agents for control. However, general farms are advised to purchase pesticides registered in the Pesticide Safety Management System and apply them regularly for effective control.

An official from the county said on the 15th, "Since the tomato pinworm has a strong reproductive ability and the characteristic of penetrating plant tissues, active early monitoring and prompt chemical control are extremely important to minimize damage."