A small grey-brown moth, Phthorimaea operculella (family Gelechiidae), native to tropical America but now a cosmopolitan pest, whose larvae attack potato tubers and other crop plants of the family Solanaceae.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Insect Life.
Definition of potato tuber moth in US English:
potato tuber moth
noun
A small grey-brown moth, Phthorimaea operculella (family Gelechiidae), native to tropical America but now a cosmopolitan pest, whose larvae attack potato tubers and other crop plants of the family Solanaceae.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Insect Life.