The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a common species in almost all regions where the potato is cultivated, causing several damage under both field and storage conditions. Wild species and primitive cultivars of potato tuber in breeding program has been shown the possibility to obtain resistant cultivars to attack of this tuber moth. Potato tubers of the cultivars Achat, Aracy, Itararé and Apuã and of the clones NYN 140-201 and NYL 235-4 (originated of the Cornell University's Potato Insect Resistance Breeding Program) were assessed for the development of potato tuber moth under laboratory conditions (temperature changed from 24 to 27ºC and 14-hours photophase). For larval development time was used nearly hatched larvae and for assisting the larval penetration, the tubers were previously punctured, keeping on at least the proportion of 5 g of tuber per larva. The larval viability decreased and the development time increased when the larvae were fed with potato tuber of these clones. Resistance was attributed to antibiosis. There were no significant differences in viability, development time and weight in the pupal stage. The longevity of the females was longer than males, but there was no difference among the genotypes.
Insecta; Potato tuber moth; Solanum; insect resistance
