Experimental studies on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in protected tomato crops in France: biological control and integrated crop protection

Tuta absoluta is a pest from South America which has been detected in many European and Mediterranean countries since 2006. It was identified in Corsica and the South of France in late 2008, and by 2010 this Lepidopteran species had spread to further tomato‐production areas. The pest is present mainly on tomatoes in protected and field crops, and damage on leaves and fruit can be so severe that it can lead to total destruction of the plant. Since 2010, studies have been carried out in experimental insect‐proof glasshouses with artificial infestations of the pest. The objective was to gain better knowledge of this emergent pest and to develop adapted control strategies under the conditions of the South‐East of France. Integrated pest management is widely used on tomato crops in France, and the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus and the parasitoid Trichogramma achaeae were studied, alone and in combination. The possible effect of the concurrent prey Trialeurodes vaporariorum on the impact of the predator on T. absoluta was also studied. The best results were obtained when the two beneficials were released in combination, even in the presence of whiteflies T. vaporariorum.     

Resistance of tomato accessions from the horticulture germplasm bank to red spider mites: exploring mite preference patterns and antixenosis mechanism

The red spider mite Tetranychus evansi can cause up to 90% yield losses to tomato crops. Mechanisms and causes of plant resistance to this pest could contribute to improved planning of plant breeding programs that prevent damage by this pest. It is known that the morphology and chemical compounds present in tomato plants are important to Tetranychus spp. success. This study aims at evaluating the resistance of 84 arbitrarily chosen tomato accessions – obtained from the Horticulture Germplasm of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (HGB-UFV), Minas Gerais State, Brazil – to T. evansi. We evaluated the number of spider mites per leaf disk, number of trichomes/mm2, and the concentration of hydrocarbons of leaf disk. A significant difference in the number of T. evansi adults/leaf disk was found among accessions. The resistance mechanism of the HGB-UFV accessions was determined to be antixenosis. Accessions 2004, 2098, 2121, and 2100 had higher trichome density and the lowest adult T. evansi per tomato leaf disk. For this reason, these accessions should be chosen as sources of resistance in plant breeding programs. The hydrocarbons C₁₁, C₁₃, and C₂₂ had a negative correlation with T. evansi adults per leaf disk.     

A new insect pest,Lasioptera sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), on tomato and cucumber crops in glasshouses in Greece

Previously unrecorded damage to tomato and cucumber crops grown in glasshouses in Greece is described and attributed to an unidentified species of Lasioptera (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Larvae develop in stems, and resulting necrosis induces wilting, stem breakages and reduction of fruit production. Methods of cultural and chemical control are suggested, and the need for further research to establish the identity of the pest and its probable origin is emphasized.     

First record of the tomato leafminer,Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Sudan

An outbreak of larvae and adults of a devastating moth was noted to be causing severe damage in tomato grown in greenhouses at Khartoum State, Sudan during June 2010. Symptoms included foliage mining and leaves drying. Photographs of symptoms and larvae and adults of the pest (and subsequently specimens) were sent to Russell IPM, UK and the Finnish Museum of Natural History for identification. The pest was identified as Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). This is the first official record of T. absoluta in Sudan, based on surveys in tomato production areas in Khartoum, Gezira, Red Sea and North Kordofan States and eggplant and potato in Khartoum State. Severe yield loss due to the serious feeding damage on foliage and fruits infestation was reported on tomato and eggplant fields at Khartoum State.     

The first report and control strategies of Tuta absoluta in Iran

In Iran, the tomato growing area is about 150 000 ha, mostly located in the south of the country. The Iranian Plant Protection Organization and inspection service in Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP) prepared a monitoring program for this pest in 2009 and 2010. A technical guideline was issued and distributed among PPO inspectors. For the first time in November 2010, samples were collected by Uromiyeh PPO on tomato from Uromiyeh in Azarbaijan province in North West Iran. The specimens found in these samples were identified as Tuta absoluta. Three months later in January 2011, pheromone traps were placed in tomato growing areas in Borazjan, Busher province, to detect and monitor this pest. T. absoluta was identified, based on adult morphology and on male genitalia from moths collected in 5 of these traps during January 2011. More pheromone traps were put into place covering the entire tomato growing area throughout the country. As of June 2011, the pest was detected in 24 different locations. This is the first report of T. absoluta in Iran. T. absoluta is a very serious pest for tomato, and an outbreak of this pest is expected during the crop cycle in autumn and winter 2011–2012 in the south of Iran. Thus, based on experiences in other countries an IPM program according to available tools and materials was developed.     

Life-table analyses for the tomato leaf miner,Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): effects of plant genotype

BACKGROUND

Host plant resistance plays an important role in integrated pest management programs. Crop resistance assessments commonly focus on only a single dependent variable, such as larval survival/plant damage, which limits the ability to appreciate the impact of host plants on pest populations in the full sense. Therefore, we performed life-table analyses for tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta, on 19 Solanum lycopersicum genotypes and a wild Solanum habrochaites accession. These analyses assess the ability of the pest to attain a high population density on different tomato genotypes. Based on the resulting ranking of tomato resistance at the vegetative stage (45-day-old plants), we tested the resistance of six selected genotypes at the reproductive stage (4-month-old plants).

RESULTS

T. absoluta performance was significantly inferior on vegetative-stage S. habrochaites plants (LA 1777); time taken for the first instars to mine the leaves (5 ± 0.14 days), development time of early- and late-stage larvae (8.8 ± 0.2 and 4.2 ± 0.2 days, respectively), pupal period (11.2 ± 0.58 days), and total developmental time (29.4 ± 0.83 days) were significantly longer, fecundity was significantly lower (18.66 ± 7.24 days), and the highest total mortality (63.33%) also recorded compared with other genotypes, resulting in the lowest net reproductive rate (R₀) (11.20 ± 2.51). For the six selected genotypes, the ranking of plant resistance did not change between plants at the vegetative and reproductive stages.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that of 20 screened tomato genotypes, LA 1777 and EC-620343 are the least suitable hosts for T. absoluta to establish fast-growing populations, and thus can be employed in integrated T. absoluta management. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Calcium silicate and organic mineral fertilizer increase the resistance of tomato plants to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Frankliniella schultzei</Emphasis>

Frankliniella schultzei Trybon (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an important pest of tomato plants. The need for more healthful foods is stimulating the development of techniques to increase plant resistance to phytophagous insects. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of calcium silicate and an organic mineral fertilizer, alone or in combination, on the resistance of tomato plants to F. schultzei. The treatments consisted of: control (T1), calcium silicate (T2), organic mineral fertilizer (T3), and calcium silicate with organic mineral fertilizer (T4). The mortality of nymphs of this thrips and the number of lesions on tomato leaves were evaluated after three, six, nine and 12 applications of these products. The number of F. schultzei individuals and of lesions on tomato leaves was lower in treatments T2 and T4 than in T1 and T3, showing a possible increase in tomato resistance to this pest. The increase in the number of applications of calcium silicate and the organic mineral fertilizer increased the mortality of nymphs and reduced the damage by this insect on tomato leaves, mainly after nine applications.     

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid identification of biotypes B and Q of the globally invasive pest Bemisia tabaci, and studying population dynamics

BACKGROUND: Bemisia tabaci, the sweetpotato whitefly, is a globally invasive pest that causes serious agricultural damage by transmitting plant viruses. This pest forms a cryptic species complex that displays morphologically indistinguishable biotypes. Among them, the B and Q biotypes are the most important pests worldwide. Because they have different levels of insecticide resistance, these biotypes must be identified in order to achieve proper pest control. Therefore, a convenient, rapid and specific detection method for identifying the two biotypes is necessary. RESULTS: Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was employed for rapid identification of B. tabaci B and Q biotypes. By combining a quick DNA extraction method, identification of the two biotypes was achieved within 1 h of detection time. The LAMP assay was applied to study the dynamics of B. tabaci biotypes both in the field and in greenhouses. It was found that, while temperature may be important for population dynamics of the whitefly in the field, population dynamics in greenhouse conditions may be influenced by the types of insecticide. CONCLUSION: The newly designed LAMP assay is a simple, rapid and accurate method for identifying the B and Q biotypes. It can be conducted by non‐specialists and can contribute to pest management. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of host plants on developmental and population parameters of invasive leafminer, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most serious pests of tomato, capable of causing 100% crop losses under favourable conditions. We studied the effect of different host plants on developmental and population parameters of this pest at 25?±?0.5 °C temperature, 70?±?5% relative humidity and 12 L: 12D photoperiod. Host plant had significant effect on the developmental biology and the population growth parameters of the pest. The leafminer developed fastest on tomato leaves and slowest on potato tubers. Population growth parameters like intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, finite rate of increase, doubling time and weekly multiplication rate of T. absoluta were highest on tomato leaves and lowest on potato tubers. Mean generation time was minimum on tomato leaves and maximum on potato tubers. Females developed on tomato leaves were more fecund than other hosts. Though, tomato was found to be the most suitable host plant of T. absoluta, yet, the pest developed and grew successfully on other alternate hosts like potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) and pepino (Solanum muricatum Aiton). These hosts can, therefore, play an important role in the survival, population build up and overwintering of the miner. Further, under favourable conditions the miner can become a serious pest on these crops and need to be monitored on these crops as well.     

Plant architecture, its diversity and manipulation in agronomic conditions, in relation with pest and pathogen attacks

Plant architectural traits have been reported to impact pest and disease, i.e., attackers, incidence on several crops and to potentially provide alternative, although partial, solutions to limit chemical applications. In this paper, we introduce the major concepts of plant architecture analysis that can be used for investigating plant interactions with attacker development. We briefly review how primary growth, branching and reiteration allow the plant to develop its 3D structure which properties may allow it (or not) to escape or survive to attacks. Different scales are considered: (i) the organs, in which nature, shape and position may influence pest and pathogen attack and development; (ii) the individual plant form, especially the spatial distribution of leaves in space which determines the within-plant micro-climate and the shoot distribution, topological connections which influence the within-plant propagation of attackers; and (iii) the plant population, in which density and spatial arrangement affect the micro-climate gradients within the canopy and may lead to different risks of propagation from plant to plant. At the individual scale, we show how growth, branching and flowering traits combine to confer to every plant species an intrinsic architectural model. However, these traits vary quantitatively between genotypes within the species. In addition, we analyze how they can be modulated throughout plant ontogeny and by environmental conditions, here considered lato sensu, i.e. including climatic conditions and manipulations by humans. Examples from different plant species with various architectural types, in particular for wheat and apple, are provided to draw a comprehensive view of possible plant protection strategies which could benefit from plant architectural traits, their genetic variability as well as their plasticity to environmental conditions and agronomic manipulations. Associations between species and/or genotypes having different susceptibility and form could also open new solutions to improve the tolerance to pest and disease at whole population scale.     

PIN1 auxin efflux carrier absence in Meloidogyne incognita-induced root-knots of tomato plants

The nematode species Meloidogyne incognita infects a large variety of cultivated crops and is one of nature’s most notorious pests. One cultivated plant which is prone to M. incognita infestation is the tomato. Knowing that in A. thaliana the PIN auxin efflux transporters distribution is being altered upon early invasion by M. incognita, the PIN1 allocation patterns in the giant cells of tomato plants after 15 and 25 days of infection were investigated. PIN1 was absent from the giant cells’ membrane in both assessment timings examined, indicating the maintenance of a local auxin maxima, which was also supported by IAA immunodetection. PIN1 distribution pattern could be attributed on either the nematodes nutritional needs throughout its life cycle or due to the tomato plants differential responses upon M. incognita infection.

     

Studies on the apple fruit moth,Argyresthia conjugella Zeller (Yponomeutidae: Lepidoptera): Identification,distribution and extent of damage in India

Abstract

A fruit‐damaging insect on apple in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh has been identified as the apple fruit moth/miner, Argyresthia conjugella Zeller, a common pest of apple in Asian, European and American countries. It seems to be native to India, where its primary host, the sorb tree, Sorbus aucuparis Linn. is present. Studies on the distribution and extent of damage during 1983 and 1984 revealed that the pest was distributed in the Kinnaur district at altitude between 2445 to 2900 m and in yearly isotherms of 0 to 10° C. The damage varied from zero to above 50%. Its spread to other apple growing areas of the state is unlikely due to unsuitable agroclimatic conditions.     

An immunological method for granulovirus detection in larvae of Tuta absoluta: searching for isolates with prospects for biological control of this pest in Colombia

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta is an important insect pest of tomato crops worldwide. Biological control using entomopathogenic viruses such as isolates of Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV) can be a promising tool for suitably controlling this pest. However to date, few viral isolates from T. absoluta have been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an economic, fast and accurate immunological technique for granulovirus detection and to evaluate viral presence in T. absoluta larvae from field samples collected in Colombia. Polyclonal antibodies against PhopGV were produced by using hens and rabbits. The production system in hen was selected as the most efficient and simple method. Then, a dot-blot test was developed, demonstrating the ability of antibodies to recognize granulovirus. Finally, granulovirus presence in 1186 T. absoluta larvae collected in the most important tomato production areas in Colombia was evaluated, and eight isolates were found in Boyacá and Cundinamarca (0.7% of occurrence). These results constitute the first report of a granulovirus isolated from T. absoluta larvae which had been naturally infected in Colombia's tomato producing-fields, and thereby validates the use of the immunological technique to detect granulovirus in field conditions.     

Effects of far-red light on tritrophic interactions between the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis on tomato

BACKGROUND

The use of light-emitting diode (LED) lights in horticulture allows growers to adjust the light spectrum to optimize crop production and quality. However, changes in light quality can also influence plant–arthropod interactions, with possible consequences for pest management. The addition of far-red light has been shown to interfere with plant immunity, thereby increasing plant susceptibility to biotic stress and increasing pest performance. Far-red light also influences plant emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and might thus influence tritrophic interactions with biological control agents. We investigated how far-red light influences the VOC-mediated attraction of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis to tomato plants infested with Tetranychus urticae, and its ability to control T. urticae populations.

RESULTS

Far-red light significantly influences herbivore-induced VOC emissions of tomato plants, characterized by a change in relative abundance of terpenoids, but this did not influence the attraction of P. persimilis to herbivore-induced plants. Supplemental far-red light led to an increased population growth of T. urticae and increased numbers of P. persimilis. This resulted in a stronger suppression of T. urticae populations under supplemental far-red light, to similar T. urticae numbers as in control conditions without supplemental far-red light.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that supplemental far-red light can change herbivore-induced VOC emissions but does not interfere with the attraction of the predator P. persimilis. Moreover, far-red light stimulates biological control of spider mites in glasshouse tomatoes due to increased population build-up of the biocontrol agent. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

番茄潜叶蛾与马铃薯块茎蛾形态特征及为害症状的比较

番茄潜叶蛾Phthorimaea absoluta Meyrick是一种重要的世界性检疫性害虫。2017年8月入侵我国,现已扩散蔓延至我国多个省市,对露地和保护地鲜食番茄生产构成了严重威胁。在田间种植的番茄和马铃薯上,番茄潜叶蛾与同科的马铃薯块茎蛾常混合发生,且形态与取食为害特征相似,较容易混淆,给田间识别带来困难。本文详细描述和比较了番茄潜叶蛾和马铃薯块茎蛾成虫、卵、幼虫和蛹的外部形态及幼虫为害症状。本文将为番茄潜叶蛾和马铃薯块茎蛾的准确识别及田间调查提供指导,还可为这两种害虫的精准测报奠定基础。     

Management of the tomato borer,Tuta absoluta in Tunisia with novel insecticides and plant extracts

Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill is a vegetable crop of major importance in Tunisia. Since its detection in 2008, the tomato borer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) became a serious insect pest attacking both outdoor and greenhouse tomatoes. Its control relies primarily on insecticides; hence the diversification of active substances including natural products is urgently required. The effectiveness of novel insecticides and plant extracts for the control of T. absoluta were investigated in Tunisia on tomatoes grown in greenhouses and in the laboratory in 2011. In tomato greenhouses, the following products were evaluated: Ampligo 150ZS (chlorantraniliprole + lambda‐cyhalothrin), VoliamTargo 063 SC (chlorantraniliprole + abamectin), Tracer240 SC (spinosad), Nimbecidine (azadirachtin 0.03%), Tutafort (plant extracts), Vydate (oxamyl) and Biocatch (Verticillium lecanii). In the laboratory, the products evaluated were: Ampligo 150ZS (chlorantraniliprole + lambda‐cyhalothrin), Movento OD (spirotetramat), Evisect SP (thiocyclam), Challenger SC (chlorfenapyr), Cyproma WP (cyromazine), Vydate (oxamyl), Armorex (plant extracts), Konflic (plant extracts) and Deffort (plant extracts). Greenhouse trials show good efficacy of the following products: Tracer, Nimbecidine, Biocatch, VoliamTargo, Tutafort and Vydate. However, laboratory trials demonstrate good performance of Challenger, Ampligo, Movento, Armorex, Deffort and Konflic. The integration of these products in an integrated pest management approach is discussed.     

Economic justification for quarantine status – the case study of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in the European Union

International agreements on plant health and trade require that regulating a pest should be justified by economic impact assessment. Economic impact assessments are usually qualitative, weakening the objective and transparency of the regulation decision. This study assessed the potential economic impacts of the invasion of the plant pathogenic bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ into the European Union in order to economically justify a decision on its quarantine status. Direct economic impacts resulting from yield loss in potato and tomato were computed using partial budgeting at a regional scale, while total economic impacts on the potato and tomato markets were computed using partial equilibrium modelling at the EU scale. Annual direct impacts at the most likely infestation level were estimated at €222 m for the whole EU. Uncertainty analysis showed a distribution of foreseeable annual impacts with a 5th percentile of €192 m, and a 95th percentile of €512 m. Increased market prices of potato and tomato resulting from reduced supply were found to increase profits for non‐infested producers and to compensate in part for the production losses of infested producers, with consumers paying for this mitigation of impacts on producers. The expected negative impact on societal welfare at the most likely infestation level is less than the estimated direct impacts, viz. €114 m/year. The potential economic impacts of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ in the European Union are demonstrably of major importance. Therefore, a decision to categorize this organism as a quarantine pest is supported.     

Assessment of the pest status of Pratylenchus curvicauda and ultrastructural changes in roots of infected wheat and barley

Pratylenchus curvicauda, which was first described in metropolitan Perth in 1991, was recently identified in grain-growing areas in Western Australia. The biology of this root-lesion nematode, and especially its pest status, is unknown. We investigated its life cycle and interaction with host plants, because such information is essential for its management. The life cycle took 45 days to complete in a wheat cultivar maintained at 23°C. Over 10 weeks, the nematode multiplied in 26 of 61 genotypes; these host plants were all cereals and included widely grown cultivars of wheat and barley. Eighteen other cereal genotypes and 13 cultivars including canola, chickpea, ryegrass, lupin, soybean, and tomato, sustained the nematodes to different degrees without multiplication. Four cover crops were not suitable hosts. The patterns of attraction of the nematodes and penetration into roots of the host and tolerant plants were similar. The nonhosts attracted fewer nematodes, none of which penetrated the roots. Browning of infected roots was atypical—it occurred late in some roots, 55 days after inoculation, and in the presence of a fungus. The nematodes were confined to, and fed from, cortical cells. The ultrastructure of infected wheat and barley cells showed typical signs of damage caused by Pratylenchus spp. and included cell disorganization and lack of membrane integrity, disintegration of cytoplasm, hypertrophy of some nuclei, and deposition of tannin-like granules. This detailed characterization of P. curvicauda–host interaction indicates the nematode is likely to be a pest of major crops, and attention should be given to its management.     

The newest leafminer pest in Israel,Liriomyza huidobrensis

The pea leafminer,Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), recently introduced into Israel, has proven to be extremely proliferous and difficult to control. It is a much more serious pest of vegetable and flower crops than the previously introducedLiriomyza trifolii (Burgess). Photosynthesis is reduced and cosmetic damage is incurred when adult flies stipple plant leaves with feeding punctures and larvae mine the leaves. This paper will review briefly the history, biology and potential control measures of the pea leafminer.     

Control of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in Hungary1

Under Hungarian climatic conditions, root-knot nematodes, and other phytoparasitic nematodes, generally cause damage in certain plant growing areas. These pests are present in glasshouses throughout the country. In the field the nematodes occur in sandy soil in the vegetable-growing areas of southern and central Hungary. The following species of root-knot nematodes have so far been reported to occur in Hungary: Meloidogyne incognita, M. arenaria, M. hapla, M. javanica, M. incognita acrita, M. thamesi and M. naasi. There are 10 specific nematicides registered for nematode control in the country. These chemicals are mainly applied in glasshouses where their use produces most economic return. Nematoderesistant cultivars are only available in the case of tomato. The nematodes cause the heaviest damage on glasshouse cucumber.