We propose a way to constrain the primordial black hole (PBH) abundance in the range of PBH masses $m$ around ${10}^{20}\mathrm{g}$ based on their capture by Sun-like stars in dwarf galaxies, with subsequent star destruction. We calculate numerically the probability of a PBH capture by a star at the time of its formation in an environment typical of dwarf galaxies. Requiring that no more than a fraction $\xi$ of stars in a dwarf galaxy is destroyed by PBHs translates into an upper limit on the PBH abundance. For the parameters of Triangulum II and $\xi =0.5$, we find that no more than $\sim 35\%$ of dark matter can consist of PBHs in the mass range ${10}^{18}–(\text{a few})\times {10}^{21}\mathrm{g}$. The constraints depend strongly on the parameter $\xi$ and may significantly improve if smaller values of $\xi$ are established from observations. An accurate determination of $\xi$ from dwarf galaxy modeling is thus of major importance.

• Received 28 September 2022
• Revised 23 January 2023
• Accepted 1 May 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.107.103052