First record of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Kyrgyzstan

This short note reports the first record of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Kyrgyzstan. This pest was found in February 2017 in greenhouses producing tomatoes, located 15 km from Bishkek. Identification of the pest was carried out in the Plant Protection Department, Çukurova University, Turkey based on the morphology of adults and larvae and the male genitalia. According to initial surveys this pest could be a major threat to tomato production in Kyrgyzstan.     

First record of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Burundi

This study to detect Tuta absoluta was carried out at four sites in western Burundi from March to July 2018. Delta traps containing Tutrack pheromone and sticky paper were installed in tomato fields at 40 cm from the ground. Sample collection was carried out twice a week. The results confirmed the presence of T. absoluta in Burundi. Effective pest control is required to avoid heavy losses on tomato production.     

Host plants record for tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Sudan

This paper presents the results from a survey that was carried out to determine the host plants of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in five States in Sudan. This survey was carried out in greenhouses and open‐field vegetable production areas between the years 2011 and 2014 using pheromone traps. The survey showed that the main host plant of T. absoluta is tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), but it also attacks potato (Solanum tuberosum), eggplant (S. melongena) Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) and S. dubium in the family Solanaceae, and broad bean (Vicia faba) and alfalfa plant (Medicago sativa) in the family Fabaceae. This paper is the first record of the following plans being hosts for T. absoluta: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in the family Cucurbitaceae, Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) in the family Euphorbiaceae, spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus) in the family Amaranthaceae, Ramtouk (Xanthium brasilicum) in the family Asteraceae and S. dubium. The study showed that the leafminer male numbers and the symptoms were significantly increased in S. melongena and S. dubium after severe damage and complete loss of the main host, the tomato crop and these two species may be the preferred alternative host plants.     

Tomato leafminer – Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera,Gelechiidae) – current status in Montenegro

Tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta was detected for the first time in Montenegro using pheromone traps in the middle of July 2010, in greenhouses in one location at the Montenegrin sea coast. In the period from the end of July to the first week of August, moths were captured in pheromone traps from other locations along the sea coast and surroundings of the city of Podgorica. According to the survey carried out by the authors from July to September 2010, T. absoluta was present in greenhouses in all tomato‐producing areas, while outdoors it was found only in the coastal area. Monitoring of T. absoluta continued in 2011. Pheromone traps were set up in five locations in the main tomato‐producing areas, both in greenhouses and outdoors, between 4 and 15 May. The first captured moths were detected after 7–15 days in all inspected locations, and captures continued until the end of September. According to the number of captured moths and the damage observed, it can be concluded that the population level in 2011 was lower in comparison with 2010, when up to 100% losses were detected in tomato crops in several locations. In 2011, tomato producers were already being informed about the pest and means of control, so most of them applied cultural and chemical control measures.     

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.     

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Tunisia: current status and management strategies

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was first identified in the region of Akkouda in October 2008 before it spread to all tomato‐producing areas in Tunisia. The introduction of this pest disturbed existing pest control programmes in greenhouses and open fields, forcing Tunisian growers to use more chemicals to reduce its impact on their crops. A national programme was adopted to control T. absoluta, including cultural practices, the use of pheromones, the installation of insect‐proof screens in greenhouses, and the use of organic insecticides including Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (Bt) and plant extract‐based products. In addition, a few experiments in biological control, using the predatory Mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) and the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), were conducted in greenhouses and open‐field crops (producing tomatoes for fresh consumption as well as for processing). This paper describes the status of T. absoluta in Tunisia, including data collected from sex pheromone traps installed in six tomato‐producing areas (Takelssa, Korba, Teboulba, Bekalta, Sousse and Kairouan) between 2009 and 2011, and control strategies in greenhouses and open fields.     

Abamectin resistance and synergism in Brazilian populations of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Failures in the control of the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) by means of abamectin in Brazil, and a recent report of abamectin resistance in Brazilian populations of this pest species, led to the investigation of the possible involvement of detoxification enzymes using insecticide synergists. Resistance to abamectin was observed in all populations when compared with the standard susceptible population, with resistance ratios ranging from 5.2- to 9.4-fold. Piperonyl butoxide was the most efficient synergist with abamectin synergism ratios ranging from 3.0- to 5.3-fold and providing significant resistance suppression, but complete suppression of abamectin resistance was only obtained in one population of T. absoluta . Triphenylphosphate was an abamectin synergist which was not as efficient as piperonyl butoxide, but it provided complete suppression of abamectin resistance in four of the six resistant populations studied, suggesting a major involvement of esterases as an abamectin resistance mechanism in these populations. The importance of cytochrome P450, inhibited by piperonyl butoxide, seems secondary to esterases. Diethyl maleate also synergized abamectin in nearly all populations, but provided only partial suppression of abamectin resistance in the leafminer populations studied. Therefore, glutathione-S-transferases seem to be of minor importance as an abamectin resistance mechanism in Brazilian populations of T. absoluta .     

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera,Gelechiidae) in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Pheromone traps were placed in the market place in Banja Luka, and in greenhouses and open field tomato crops, on 13 September 2010 to determine the presence of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Banja Luka region. Based on examination of traps, the presence of T. absoluta was confirmed for the first time in the Republic of Srpska. Only mines of Liriomyza species were found by examining leaves under a stereomicroscope. In 2011, pheromone traps were placed in greenhouses at several locations (Banja Luka, Prijedor, Novi Grad, Kozarska Dubica, Ljubinje and Trebinje) at the beginning of June, and in open fields in Bijeljina and Trebinje at the beginning of September. Examination of the traps was carried out at intervals of 15 days. A sample of 100 leaves, taken from 20 randomly selected plants, was examined in order to evaluate the intensity of the attack. The first adults were caught in greenhouses in Ljubinje and Trebinje on 18 June 2011; in open field crops in Bijeljina on 9 September 2011 and in Banja Luka on 5 October 2011. Adults were not captured in Prijedor, Novi Grad or Kozarska Dubica, and no mined leaves were observed. The intensity of attack was evaluated on the basis of active infestation (percentage of leaves with active mines compared with all mined leaves). The strongest intensity of active infestation was recorded in the open field crops in Trebinje, where 19% of leaves with active mines were found.     

Studies on the development of a mating disruption system to control the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Povolny (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

BACKGROUND: The tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta Povolny) has rapidly colonised the whole Mediterranean and South‐Atlantic coasts of Spain, and it has become a key problem in both outdoor and greenhouse crops. New control methods compatible with biological control are required, and mating disruption appears to be a perfect method in current agriculture, as it is an environmentally friendly and residue‐free technique. IPM packages tested have included the use of pheromones to detect populations, but there has not been much previous research on mating disruption of T. absoluta. In this work, pheromone doses varying from 10 to 40 g ha^?1, emitted at a constant rate over 4 months, were tested in greenhouses with different levels of containment in order to evaluate the efficacy of mating disruption on T. absoluta. RESULTS: Trials on containment level revealed that the flight of T. absoluta was satisfactorily disrupted with an initial pheromone dose of 30 g ha^?1, and levels of damage did not significantly differ from those in reference plots with insecticide treatments. Later efficacy trials confirmed previous experiences, and release studies showed that control of damage and flight disruption were taking place when releasing at least 85 mg pheromone per ha per day. CONCLUSION: Effective control using pheromone application against T. absoluta can be achieved, in greenhouses with high containment levels, for 4 months, with initial doses of 30 g ha^?1. Further research must be conducted in order to evaluate the prospect of outdoor application of mating disruption systems. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Susceptibility of tomato borer,Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) populations from Turkey to 7 different insecticides in laboratory bioassay

The tomato borer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), was first recorded in Turkey in August 2009 and rapidly became a serious pest in the Mediterranean and Aegean coastal regions in field and greenhouse grown tomatoes. Currently, insecticides are considered one of the major tools for the management of T. absoluta in Turkey. This study, investigated the efficacy of 7 different insecticides, against T. absoluta in laboratory bioassays. To determine the lethal concentration (LC) values and feeding activity of the larvae, tomato leaf parts mined by 1–3 day old L1 larvae were dipped into different insecticide concentrations. Mortality was recorded 5 days after insecticide treatments. Spinosad, chlorantraniliprole + abamectin or indoxacarb treatment resulted in 100% mortality with minimal or no feeding in all populations at their recommended doses of 120, 50.4 and 60 mg a.s. L^?1, respectively. In general, the LC₉₉ values of populations for these insecticides were similar and also lower than that of the recommended field doses. The effect of pyridalyl was low, resulting in low mortality with serious feeding damage at the dose of 125 mg a.s. L^?1. The efficacies of abamectin, metaflumizone and azadirachtin were found to be moderate to low at the recommended doses (4.5, 240 and 50 mg a.s. L^?1, respectively). However, these insecticides may affect pupation and adult emergence rates hence further studies are recommended to investigate these insecticides.     

设施番茄4种栽培方式下番茄潜叶蛾对化蛹场所的选择性研究

为提高番茄潜叶蛾的监测与防控效率,在樱桃番茄生产温棚开展了双色地膜土栽、地砖托盘盆栽、地砖盆栽、地布盆栽4种栽培方式下番茄潜叶蛾对化蛹场所的选择性研究。依据栽培方式,调查了12种可能的化蛹场所。结果表明,番茄的栽培方式不同,番茄潜叶蛾的化蛹场所亦有明显变化。双色地膜土栽方式下,6种场所的总计平均化蛹数量和化蛹数量占比中,地膜覆盖土显著高于其他场所,依次为地膜覆盖土>种植孔周边和茎秆>叶片;叶柄和果实上未观察到有幼虫化蛹。地砖托盘盆栽方式下,9种场所的总计平均化蛹数量中,花盆托盘底部和花盆翻边显著多于花盆盆底,其他场所未观察到有幼虫化蛹;化蛹数量占比中,花盆托盘底部显著高于其他场所,依次为花盆托盘底部>花盆翻边>花盆盆底。地砖盆栽方式下,8种场所的总计平均化蛹数量中,地砖缝隙和花盆翻边显著多于花盆盆底,其他场所未观察到有幼虫化蛹;化蛹数量占比中,地砖缝隙显著高于花盆翻边和花盆盆底。地布盆栽方式下,8种场所的总计平均化蛹数量和化蛹数量占比中,花盆盆底显著高于其他场所,依次为花盆盆底>花盆翻边>地布表面,其他场所未观察到幼虫化蛹。双色地膜土栽方式下4种化蛹...     

Genetic study of Mediterranean and South American populations of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Povolny, 1994) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using ribosomal and mitochondrial markers

BACKGROUND: Before its introduction into Europe at the end of 2006, Tuta absoluta (Povolny, 1994) was confined solely to South America. Currently, this invasive pest is well established in various European and Mediterranean countries, causing important economic losses to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) crops. In order to study the genetic variability of this pest, 23 Mediterranean and ten native South American populations were analysed with nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers. RESULTS: The internal transcribed spacers 1 (ITS1) and 2 (ITS2) of rDNA and a fragment in the mtDNA gene encoding cytochrome oxidase I (COI) were PCR amplified and sequenced in T. absoluta. Sequence analyses consistently revealed neither intrapopulation nor interpopulation variation in either genomic region. CONCLUSIONS: High genetic homogeneity was detected in T. absoluta populations from the Mediterranean Basin and South America, based on mtCOI and ITS rDNA sequence analysis. A single genetic type was identified in this pest. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

番茄潜叶蛾成虫卵巢发育与卵子发生研究

明确雌成虫的卵巢发育及其卵子发生有利于害虫发生期和发生量的准确预测及其防治适期的确定。本研究在观察重大外来入侵害虫番茄潜叶蛾Tuta absoluta雌成虫生殖系统结构和卵巢发育级别的基础上,进一步比较了营养条件和是否交配处理,即未交配+清水、未交配+20%葡萄糖溶液、交配+清水、交配+20%葡萄糖溶液条件下番茄潜叶蛾的卵子发生动态。结果显示：雌成虫生殖系统主要包括卵巢、输卵管、附腺、交配囊、阴道支囊、受精囊及受精囊腺等组织;左右两侧卵巢的卵巢管数大多相等,各含4根卵巢管;卵巢发育进度可分为卵黄沉积前期(Ⅰ级)、卵黄沉积期(Ⅱ级)、成熟待产期(Ⅲ级)、产卵盛期(Ⅳ级)和产卵末期(Ⅴ级)5个级别。雌成虫只取食清水也可持续形成成熟卵子,未交配雌虫卵子数量于羽化72 h达到高峰,发育至96 h时显著减少,并观察到卵子重吸收现象。取食20%葡萄糖溶液可显著促进雌虫的卵子发生,其成熟卵子、总卵子数在羽化后24 h均显著多于取食清水;雌虫发生卵重吸收后,补充取食20%葡萄糖溶液,卵巢内各类卵子数显著增加。交配对雌成虫卵子发生有明显促进作用,取食20%葡萄糖溶液或清水的交配雌虫,羽化96 h后,成熟...     

Evaluation of two methods for the protection of tomato crops against the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) under greenhouses in Tunisia

The evaluation of two methods of plant protection in tomato crops cultivated in greenhouses against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in the region of Teboulba in Tunisia was performed. This study evaluated the use of insect‐proof screens alone or in combination with one sex pheromone water trap compared to a control greenhouse not equipped with either. The study confirms that the use of one sex pheromone water trap combined with insect‐proof covering of doors and aeration openings is sufficient to guarantee good crop protection. This combined control system allowed a low density of the pest (less than 2 individuals per leaf) to be maintained and a mean number of mines below 1 mine per leaf.     

Bioactivity of compounds from Acmella oleracea against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and selectivity to two non-target species

BACKGROUND: Tropical plants are recognised sources of bioactive compounds that can be used for pest control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of compounds present in Acmella oleracea (Asteracea) against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), which is the main pest of tomato crops in Latin America. The selectivity of these compounds to the predator Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and to the pollinator Tetragonisca angustula (Latr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae) was also of interest. RESULTS: A bioassay screening with hexane and ethanol extracts from 23 plants was performed. The hexane extract of A. oleraceae was the most active of the extracts and was selected for further study. The following three alkamides were isolated from a hexane extract of the aerial parts of A. oleracea : spilanthol, (E)‐N‐isobutylundeca‐2‐en‐8,10‐diynamide and (R, E)‐N‐(2‐methylbutyl)undeca‐2‐en‐8,10‐diynamide. All of the isolated compounds showed insecticidal activity, with spilanthol being the most active (LD₅₀ = 0.13 µg mg^?1) against T. absoluta . The alkamides were selective to both beneficial species studied. CONCLUSION: The crude hexane extract of A. oleraceae showed high insecticidal activity and can be used to control T. absoluta in organic or conventional crops. Quantification of LD₅₀ values of isolated compounds against T. absoluta showed that alkamides could serve as potent insecticides for T. absoluta control programmes. Spilanthol was the main alkamide active isolated. This alkamide is the most promising as it has the highest insecticidal activity and is selective to non‐target organisms. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Current status of the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta in Greece

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), was recorded in Crete (Greece) for the first time in June 2009. The species was subsequently identified in various geographically distant regions in Crete, Peloponnesus and Western Greece. Damage has been reported in tomato and aubergine greenhouse crops as well as in open field tomato crops. In two cases, infestations of the indigenous lepidopteran species Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) erroneously alarmed farmers and local agronomists, as symptoms caused by the two species on tomato leaves and fruits are identical macroscopically. In collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development and Food an official survey is under way to accurately define the extent of the T. absoluta distribution in the country, while constructing the basis for integrated management of the pest.     

Compatibility of insecticides and Elachertus inunctus Nees (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) for controlling Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in greenhouse condition

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - South American Tomato Pinworm (SATP), Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most devastating pests in tomato greenhouses....     

Comparison of pheromone lures used in mass trapping to control the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) in industrial tomato crops in Kairouan (Tunisia)

An experimental trial of integrated pest management against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) based on mass trapping with a density of 32 traps per hectare was conducted in a 5 ha open‐field tomato crop. During this trial, the efficiency of three brands of sex pheromone dispenser commercialized in Tunisia was tested. The ‘superdosed’ pheromone lure type TUA‐Optima^® (Russell IPM, Deeside, Flintshire, CH5 2LA, United Kingdom) loaded with 0.8 mg of synthetic pheromone was more attractive to males of T. absoluta, and these lures should be used with high populations. Standard lures Pherodis^® and TUA‐500^® containing 0.5 mg of pheromone were less attractive, and can be used in open‐field tomato crops with lower populations of T. absoluta. An assessment of the susceptibility of crop borders to T. absoluta, based on data collected from traps, revealed that levels of adult T. absoluta were similar between borders with either tomato or cereal crops. Particular attention should thus be paid to crop borders even when not adjacent to other tomato crops.     

Fortuitous parasitoids of the invasive tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta in Tunisia

The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a major threat to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops. After its first detection in Spain in 2006, it spread rapidly through the Western Palaearctic region, arriving in Tunisia 2 years later. The aim of this research was to assess whether generalist indigenous parasitoids are adapting to this exotic host in Tunisian tomato crops. For this, we conducted a survey in four Tunisian tomato-growing areas by sampling infested leaves of tomato and solanaceous weeds and exposing artificially infested sentinel plants. Two ectoparasitoid species were found attacking and developing on T. absoluta: Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Necremnus sp. nr artynes (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), whereas no egg or pupal parasitoids were found. The eulophid wasp was the most abundant with a peak of apparent parasitism rate of 25.5%. It emerged from parasitized T. absoluta young larvae in exposed sentinel plants and in sampled infested tomato leaves, both in greenhouse and open field cultivations. Bracon sp. showed a gregarious development on T. absoluta mature larvae and it was collected only on sentinel plants exposed in the Ragueda (Kiarouan) site, with 10.23% of estimated parasitism. Although further research is still needed to assess properly the ecological role of these parasitoids in the biological control of T. absoluta, this study represents the first step toward establishing the scientific basis for including these parasitoids in the Tunisian IPM and biological programs against this pest.