The new year has brought a new challenge for tomato cultivators, the tomato leaf miner (T. absoluta); a devastating pest . This pest has been classified as the most serious threat for tomato production worldwide. This invasive species can cause the tomato grower great economic loss. The pest has spread from South America to several parts of Europe and Africa and now to India. T. absoluta was first reported in India infesting tomato fields in Maharashtra (2014) and since then, it has fast spread to other neighboring states including Karnataka, TN, AP, Telangana. Now it has progressed in the northern and north-eastern regions in India. It has arrived at North CU in last couple of year, but the alarming situation is due to its appearance from the beginning of the crop. It is very difficult to predict the exact route of spread within India, however some of the possible reasons for its spread include the unrestricted movement of agricultural commodities across the states and dispersal of pest due to heavy wind currents.This insect is known by different common names like Tomato leaf miner, Pin worm, Tomato moth. The larvae feed upon tomato plants producing large galleries in leaves, burrowing in stalks and consuming apical buds as well as fruits. On leaves, the larvae feed on mesophyll tissue, forming irregular leaf mines that later become necrotic. This in turn opens areas for invasion by secondary pathogen leading to fruit rot. Furthermore, this invasive pest cause yield loss of 20-30% & can destroy tomato plants during all growth stages resulting up to 100% losses if timely control measures are not taken.

LIFE CYCLE OF TUTA ABSOLUTA

LIFE CYCLE OF TUTA ABSOLUTA

Eggs

• Eggs are oval Cylindrical, usually are laid on underside of Leaves, Buds, stems, and calyx of unripe fruits * Oviposition

• Leaves -73%

• Veins and stems - 21%

• Sepals - 5%

• Fruits - 1%

Larva

• There are 4 instars.

• Early instars are white or Cream with a black head, later they turn pink or green.

• Fully grown larvae Drop to the ground in a silken thread and pupate in soil

Pupa

Pupa

• Pupae are brown, 6 mm long.

• Pupation takes place in soil or on plant parts such as dried Leaves and stem.

Adult

Adult

• Female lives 10-15 days

• Male lives 6-7 days

• Adult moths are small

• Body length 7mm.

• They are brown or Silver color with

• Black spots on the wings

Life cycle

Life cycle

• It has a high reproductive potential with up to 10–12 generations per year,

• 24–76 days per generation depending on the favorable environmental conditions

• Duration of Life cycle- • 76 Days— At 140 C

• 24 days —At 200 C- 270 C

Host Plants

Host Plants

Besides tomato, it was also reported attacking other Solanaceous crops Viz. Potato, Brinjal, Chilli, Tobacco & weeds.

Management of Tuta absoluta

Management of Tuta absoluta

Although this pest is difficult to manage, it could be well managed by following IPM practices.

• Crop rotation with non-solanaceous crops (preferably Cruciferous)

• Removal of infested plants and complete removal of post-harvest plant debris and fruits will cut the life cycle where the population may be reduced

• Removal of Infested leaves before the caterpillar inside the leaf is able to pupate and become an egg-laying adult moth.

• The use of pheromone traps @4 /1000 m2 is a reliable method to detect the presence of Tuta absoluta. Its use may be helpful not only for detection of pest but also to control the pest population by disturbing its life cycle

• The use of incandescent bulb as light trap @ one bulb/150 m2 + 4 pheromone trap/1000 m2 is found to be more effective

• Application of Biopesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhizium anisopliae will also help to reduce Tuta population.

• Spraying of Vayego @80 ml/acre + Movento OD @200 ml/Acre will be more effective. Repeat application can be done after 7-10 Days if required.

• In our MD trials, Vayego 80 ml +Movento OD 200 ml has shown superior efficacy against

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