South Korea: Tomato horn moth detected on tomatoes for export to Japan

The Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Quarantine Headquarters announced on the 19th that there was no disruption in tomato exports to Japan due to the recent detection of ‘tomato horn moth’ in some tomato farms. During the regular surveillance of foreign pests last March, the quarantine headquarters captured 21 male adult tomato hornworms in four regions, including Busan, Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk, and Jeollanam-do. The tomato hornworm is a major pest of tomatoes, and its larvae create tunnels in leaves or cause damage inside stems and fruits. The Quarantine Headquarters is investigating and estimates that the tomato hornworm was first introduced through wind or air currents from nearby distribution countries. Although this pest can be controlled, it is designated as a quarantine pest in Japan, so there were concerns that tomato exports to Japan would be disrupted. Korea exports about 3,400 tons of tomatoes and cherry tomatoes to Japan every year (last year's export amount was $8.309 ...