Tomato leaf miner – is an important pest of Tomato particularly in Mediterranean region. Recently invaded India and becoming one of most important pests of Tomato. Other host crops include potato and common beans. Sex pheromone trap can be used as an early detection tool. Mass trapping, lure and Kill application of pheromone has been found to be effective to control Tuta absoluta.
Life cycle :
Tomato leaf miner can breed 10-12 generations a year In favourable conditions. Life cycle completes within 24-38 days depending on temperature. Generally Female lives 10-15 days and Male lives 6-7 days.
Eggs are oval Cylindrical, usually are laid on underside of Leaves, Buds, stems and calyx of unripe fruits. Female lays 250-300 eggs.
Pupation takes place in soil or on plant parts such as leaves and stem.
Adult moths are silvery brown with mottled wings.
Damage :
It is known to have many generations in a year and affects tomato in all growing stages.
Larvae mine in the mesophyll of leaves and make irregular, papery mines. The larvae also mine apical buds and stems. In cases of heavy infestation, both green and red fruits are attacked and infested fruits show small holes on the surface and the larvae tunnel / mine below the surface. Caterpillars attack only green leaf. Mining damage causes death of leaves, malformation of stems, and damage to fruits which lead to fungal infections.
ETL for Tuta absoluta (Tomato leaf miner) is 10 No’s of moths per trap per day.
Use 10 No’s Pheromone Traps per acre from 15 days crop stage to control pest at early stage.
Trap canopy should be placed one feet above crop canopy to achieve optimum catch.
Recommended for: Tomato and Potato.
