Worldwide distribution. On potato, tomato and tobacco, the main hosts. An important pest.
Eggs laid on leaves, and the leaves and stems mined. As soil cracks, larvae attack tubers near soil surface. Damage causes rots. Spread is in seed tubers.
Natural enemies: wasp parasitoids and parasites.
Cultural control: certified seed; remove volunteers; weeds; tolerant varieties; deep planting; test onion intercrops; hill-up; avoid overlapping crops; crop rotation; mulch before harvest; avoid cull piles.
Chemical control: sprays of abamectin, spinosad, or synthetic pyrethroids. Neem in storage.