The leaf miner, the tomato enemy! Tuta absoluta series 3

Monitoring
Russell IPM manufactures and supplies pheromone (locally found here) lure, trap and complete monitoring systems for Tuta absoluta. Pheromone trap based on Qlure-TUA gives early warning of infestation and also exhibits the density of the insect accurately in low population to medium level infestation. In heavy infestation, Qlure -TUA tends to give high level of capture which makes data collection difficult. For this application Qlure-TUALD is specifically designed to give lower capture rate to make data collection in heavily infested field manageable.

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Mass Trapping
Qlure -TUA with its high capture rate is ideal for mass trapping of Tuta absoluta particularly in for protected tomato cultivation. It helps to reduce population in greenhouses particularly if insect exclusion nets and tight doors were used. Mass trapping is a technique that involves placing a higher number of traps in the crop field in various strategic positions to remove a sufficiently high proportion of male insects from the pest population. It is widely used in conjunction with other control measures to achieve acceptable level of damage and to reduce the reliance on insecticide treatments. Mass trapping is a potential option for open field production. However, and for practical reasons, application in protected agriculture has a higher chance of success.

Lure and Kill:
Lure and Kill is a very promising approach to control the male adults of Tuta absoluta with minimum amount of insecticide application. This will reduce the mating incidence and therefore reducing the number of viable eggs. Based on sustained release matrix, Lure and kill product can release the pheromone over a long period normally over 6-8 weeks while sustaining the activity of the contact insecticide

throughout the same period. Lure and Kill technique normally is a single application provides safe yet constant control over a long period of time. Pheromones of other pests many be incorporated to reduce the need to other insecticide applications. It’s targeted application in specific locations leaves over 99% of the plant source insecticide free providing a safe environment for beneficial insect to develop and to participate in the over all control of Strategy. Several trials are taking place to evaluate this technology and its viability to different Tomato production methods. Lure and kill should always be considered as a part of an Integrated Pest Management program.

Chemical control has been the main control measure used against Tuta absoluta since it was reported in South America. In Brazil tomato glowers carried out up to 36 insecticide applications to control Tuta absoluta within one cropping season. Frequent intense application of insecticide leads to develop insecticide resistance. Reduce efficiency and control failure of the insecticides used against Tuta absoluta have been reported in South America. Resistance to Pyrethroid and Methamidophos, Cartap has been reported in Brazil, Chile and Argentina. However, there are active ingredients have found to be effective against Tuta absoluta larval infestations in Spanish outbreaks; Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb and spinosad. It is also reported that Deltamethrin has provided effective ‘knock-down’ of adult in Spain.

Good Agricultural Practices
Good Agricultural Practices includes cultural practices, rotation with non-solanaceous crops, ploughing, adequate fertilization, irrigation, destruction of infested plants and post have vest plant debris. At any time of the growing cycle is detected or fruit stalks damaged by larvae of Tuta, there will be an overhaul of the whole plot, the process of withdrawal and destroyed securely to prevent the pest completes its cycle and continue to spread. There are a number of cultural control measures that aid the eradication of this pest. Crop rotation, crop removal and the selective removal and destruction of infested plant material are important cultural control practices that would help eradication of this pest in green houses. The wild host plants should also be removed to prevent the further build up of a potential population.