Farmers in the Rostov region of Russia are reporting significant damage to their tomato crops due to an invasion of the tomato moth. This pest has spoiled a large portion of the tomatoes in the region, according to a vegetable grower from the Ust-Donetsky district.
The harmful moths have been flying en masse, damaging both the tomato fruits and the branches they grow on. This causes the stems to break, causing the tomatoes to fall to the ground and rot.
As a result, this year's tomato market is seeing a shortage. Even at the peak of the harvest season, prices remain high, ranging from 1.0 to 1.6 euros per kilogram, compared to just 0.42 euros per kilogram in early July last year.
The tomato moth poses a serious threat to crops due to its high fertility—one moth can lay up to 900 eggs. The farmer believes that an active and widespread effort to combat the moth is necessary.
Meanwhile, a quarantine has been imposed in three districts of the Krasnodar region, Russia due to the American white moth. The pests have been found in the Slavyansky, Krymsky, and Temryuksky districts. To prevent the spread of the moth, quarantine phytosanitary measures and zones have been established in the affected areas, covering 7,500 hectares with a buffer zone of over 6,100 hectares.
Source: expertsouth.ru