 A study by P. G. Fenemore from Massey University shows that potato tuber moths are drawn to an amino acid in potatoes called L-glutamic acid and that this plays a key role in helping determine plant selection for oviposition.Adult female "P. operculella" can lay over 200 eggs over their lifespan, depending on environmental conditions.The eggs are typically oval in shape, smooth, and have a pearly white to yellowish color.