Population monitoring of potato moth [phthorimaea operculella zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)], which is harmful in potato cultivation areas of Si̇vas province and the insecticidal effect of Lantana camara L. plant extract

Potato moth [Phthorimae operculella (Zeller) (Lep.: Gelechiidae) is one of the most important pest affecting potato cultivation. Potato moth feeds on green parts and tubers, causing significant crop losses. This study was carried out to determine whether Sivas province is infected with potato tuber moth. The study was carried out in Hafik, Gemerek and Merkez districts of Sivas in 2022. The sexual attractive pheromone trap of the pest was placed immediately after plant emergence in the potato fields to be tested. Trap controls were made weekly and the adults caught in the trap were recorded. The insecticidal effect of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) extract on potato moth was investigated. Different concentrations of the ethanolic extract of the plant were applied to the egg, larva and adult stages of the pest. According to the results of the study, the highest number of adults was on 23.08.2022 with 16 in Gemerek district. In Gemerek district, the first adult emergence was determined on 7.06.2022 and the last adult was determined on 27.09.2022. In Hafik district, the first adult was identified on 21.06.2022. The last adult emergence was on 20.09.2022. The maximum number of adults was determined on 09.08.2022. The first adult emergence in the central district was on 21.06.2022. The maximum number of adults was determined on 5.07.2022. The last adult was emergence on 23.08.2022. In this study, it was determined that Sivas province is infested with potato moth. The control against this pest, which has zero tolerance in seed production areas, is important. It has been shown that L. camara extract has a high insecticidal effect on potato moth larvae. It was determined that there was a higher rate of effect in the method of immersing the individual. In the egg production experiment, it was determined that the extract decreased the egg production, at high concentrations there was death and no eggs were obtained, and there was no ovicide effect. It was concluded that the extract in question could be used in the fight against pests.