Tomato Pinworm (Keiferia lycopersicella)

Leaf and fruit boring moth pest of tomatoes, causing mines and galleries.

Tomato pinworm (Keiferia lycopersicella) is a moth pest whose larvae mine leaves and bore into tomato fruit, creating galleries and causing internal breakdown. It is a quarantine concern and can be confused with Tuta absoluta. Biological control uses Trichogramma egg parasitoids, generalist predators like Macrolophus and Nesidiocoris, and entomopathogenic nematodes against exposed larvae, supported by strict hygiene and pheromone monitoring.