It attacks different parts of plants depending on host species. 

It also attacks different hosts in different countries, and there may be cryptic species with different host preferences. 

In particular, in the USA, it has been reported only on lime (flowers) and wild Gossypium in Florida, and on the weed species Solanum carolinense (leaves) in Virginia. In other countries, a wide range of hosts are attacked. 

Entry is considered likely, on plants for planting, fruit of tomato (both on the vine or not) and capsicum, as well as on asparagus and other cut plant parts (cut flowers and branches, cut herbs, leafy vegetables). In particular, there is a trade of tomato fruit and asparagus from South America, and the pest may be associated with both. The pest is expected to have a high impact on tomato, Capsicum and asparagus. P. longifila has possibly a larger potential area of distribution than the other tomato pests considered in this series of PRAs. 

Spread will mainly be with traded commodities rather than natural spread.