Keiferia

Busck, 1939

Species Guides

5

Keiferia is a of small (micromoths) in the Gelechiidae, tribe Gnorimoschemini. The genus contains 21 described , with approximately half occurring in South America. Most documented species are associated with plants in the family Solanaceae, though one species has been recorded on Asteraceae. The genus includes the tomato pinworm (K. lycopersicella), a significant agricultural pest.

Keiferia lycopersicella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Keiferia lycopersicella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Keiferia lycopersicella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Keiferia: //ˈkiː.fɛr.i.ə//

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Identification

Keiferia are small gelechiid moths that can be distinguished from related by genitalia and sequence data. Phylogenetic analysis places species within a well-supported clade based on mitochondrial DNA. Specific external morphological features distinguishing Keiferia from similar gnorimoschemini genera are not detailed in available sources.

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Distribution

occur in the New World, with ten species in South America. The tomato pinworm (K. lycopersicella) has been recorded in North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), Central America and Caribbean, South America (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela), and Europe (Mainland Italy). K. azapaensis is known from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile.

Diet

Larvae of documented feed on plants. K. lycopersicella larvae feed on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), aubergine (S. melongena), and potato (S. tuberosum). K. azapaensis larvae feed as leaf miners on Trixis cacalioides (Asteraceae). Other species are associated exclusively with Solanaceae based on available host records.

Host Associations

  • Solanum lycopersicum - larval food planttomato
  • Solanum melongena - larval food plantaubergine/eggplant
  • Solanum tuberosum - larval food plantpotato
  • Trixis cacalioides - larval food plantAsteraceae; first recorded Asteraceae for

Life Cycle

Larvae of at least some are leaf miners. of K. azapaensis were reared from collected larvae, indicating complete with larval and adult stages. K. lycopersicella is known to have , larval, pupal, and adult stages.

Behavior

females of K. lycopersicella exhibit calling with peak release at specific times. Males respond to female with upwind and source location. Larvae of K. azapaensis feed as leaf miners within plant leaves.

Human Relevance

K. lycopersicella (tomato pinworm) is a significant agricultural pest of solanaceous crops, particularly tomato. It has been the subject of studies using Trichogramma . Other have no documented economic importance.

Similar Taxa

  • GnorimoscheminiKeiferia belongs to this tribe; related within Gnorimoschemini share similar and require dissection or molecular analysis for definitive identification.
  • Tuta absolutaAnother gelechiid pest of tomato with similar range and damage ; distinguished by and molecular markers.

Sources and further reading