Discrimination of larvae of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, from other gelechiid larvae attacking solanaceous plants in Japan (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tomato whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and leaf miners (Tuta absoluta) are devastating pests of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Pest management using broad spectrum synthetic pesticides is discouraged due to harmful effects on human health and the environment. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of endophytic fungi as bioextracts against tomato whiteflies and leaf miners, as an alternative to synthetic insecticides in Tanzania. The study was done using morphological and molecular techniques, during January 2019 to February 2020 in Arusha region in Tanzania. Three endophyte isolates from pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) were identified with resemblance to members of Fusarium sp and Altenaria sp, by 90 and 82 % similarity, respectively; based on phylogenetic clustering patterns and macro- and micro-morphological characteristics. Bioextracts from endophytes of lemon grass leaves (Elg1); and pyrethrum flowers (Epf1) and leaves (Epl1), showed significant repellency properties (F0.05 (df, 15) = 27.052, P = 0.0001) on whiteflies by 54, 76 and 36%, respectively. They also caused significant lethality (F0.05 (df, 11) = 59.559, P = 0.0001) of tomato leaf miner larvae and whiteflies (F0.05 (df, 11) = 53.600, P = 0.0001). The underlying effect was attributed to possession of flavonoid and total phenolics as active ingredients in the bioextracts. This was commensurate to the levels flavonoid and total phenolic contents, which were considerably more in bioextracts of lemon grass and pyrethrum flower (F0.05 (df, 8) = 10.35, P = 0.0114) and (F0.05 (df, 8) = 40.84, P = 0.0003, respectively), than in pyrethrum leaves.

<i>Tuta absoluta</i>

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ) belongs to the family Solanaciace, is one of the most widely grown vegetable in the world as well as in Ethiopia. Tomato leaf miner, T. absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a key pest of tomato and its control is very important to the production and profitability of this crop. Therefore, this review showed that the experiment was worked in glass house of Ambo University and under field conditions in Guder, Western Showa Zone of Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia. A factorial experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate the effect of insecticides and botanicals ( Azadirachta indica L. ) on tomato leaf miner under glass house and on farmers cultivated field. The results of the study revealed that the newly introduced two insecticides gave promising mortality rate and not significantly different compared with the standard check and highly significantly different from the untreated check. The botanicals, A. indica fresh leaf and seed extracts with foliar application gave promising mortality rate when used as alternative control measures for tomato leaf miner, while the two botanicals part were found lesser effective as compared with other treatments, but significantly different from untreated check. From this study, it could be concluded that the two insecticides Cutter 112 E.C TM and Trigger 5% E.C TM were effective recommended as alternative insecticides. The botanical ( A. indica ) both fresh leaf extract and seed extract (bio-pesticide), which are easily available locally, are better option and eco-friendly for controlling tomato leaf miner in the study areas. Keywords: Botanicals , Tomato Leaf miner, Beauveria bassiana , Metarhizium anisopliae, Efficacy and Insecticides. DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-17-02 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

As a result of climate change and global warming, plant diseases and pests are drawing attention because they are dispersing more quickly than ever before. The tomato leaf miner destroys the growth structure of the tomato, resulting in 80 to 100 percent tomato loss. Despite extensive efforts to prevent its spread, the tomato leaf miner can be found on most continents. To protect tomatoes from the tomato leaf miner, inspections must be performed on a regular basis throughout the tomato life cycle. To find a better deep neural network (DNN) approach for detecting tomato leaf miner, we investigated two DNN models for classification and segmentation. The same RGB images of tomato leaves captured from real-world agricultural sites were used to train the two DNN models. Precision, recall, and F1-score were used to compare the performance of two DNN models. In terms of diagnosing the tomato leaf miner, the DNN model for segmentation outperformed the DNN model for classification, with higher precision, recall, and F1-score values. Furthermore, there were no false negative cases in the prediction of the DNN model for segmentation, indicating that it is adequate for detecting plant diseases and pests.

This study was performed in tomato growing areas of Camlidere, Goktepe and Yiginak location in Şanliurfa during the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. In the study, we intended to determine some critical time points (such as first adult emergence, maximum adult flight, number of generations per year and flight activity in nature) in the population dynamics of Tomato Leafminer [Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)] in Şanliurfa. Adult population dynamic of Tomato Leafminer was monitored using sexual pheromone traps. According to the results from the study, 1) First adult flight began at the beginning of May, 2) Adult flight in both years reached a maximum 4 different time points (in July, August, September and October) of the year, 3) The flight ended at the end of November in the study area. The maximum adult catches of the pest were determined as 978 adults/ trap in 2011 and 370 adults/ trap in 2010. Tomato Leafminer adults were active in nature at least 7 months (from early May to late November). The infection rate of tomato plants in the study area was determined as 100% in both growing seasons. Key words: Tomato Leafminer, Tuta absoluta, pheromone, population development

The tomato is an important vegetable crop, both domestically and commercially. Recently, the crop is facing the problem of insect pest destruction, which causes its production to drop by up to 50% if not controlled. Tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is one of the most destructive insects of tomato. The entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are currently used as an efficient biological control agent against Tuta absoluta. In this study, the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi was tested using EPF obtained from 24 soil samples collected from tomato farms infested by T. absoluta. The efficacy of EPF were tested against Tuta absoluta larvae instars, pupa, and adults at different conidial concentrations and incubation times. The results showed that among all EPF, Metarhizium anisopliae had high pathogenicity and recorded a high percentage of Tuta absoluta larval mortality rate (98.2%), followed by Aspergillus spp., which recorded 71%. Other EPF recoded lower percentages, which imply lower pathogenicity. Despite Aspergillus spp. being entomopathogenic fungi that have high pathogenicity for Tuta absoluta, it is not recommended for Tuta absoluta management in tomato production due to aflatoxin, which is very toxic to humans. Based on these observations, Metarhizium anisopliae has the potential to be used as an effective biological control of Tuta absoluta in tomato production.

In Niger, since 2012 a new pest Tuta absoluta has appeared on tomato. Tuta absoluta is subservient not only to tomato but also to other solanaceae (potatoes, peppers etc.). All these crops can be attacked by this pest and production losses can reach 100% of the harvest, if none protective measure is taken. The objective assigned to this study is to improve tomato production in Niger through the integrated management of the tomato miner Tuta absoluta. To do this, the study focused on monitoring the dynamics of the Tuta absoluta population during the wintering period using pheromone traps and also an interview guide addressed to producers. The results showed the effective presence of the tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) on the two sites monitored throughout the rainy season. The results showed that more than half of the tomato plots were attacked by Tuta absoluta and showed attack symptoms. However, the attacked plants regenerated with new organs (leaves and stems) hence the extension of tomato cultivation in Tolkoboye with the use of pheromone traps. The study of the population dynamics of Tuta absoluta shows that the average captures per week oscillate between 53.6 and 1.72 individuals during the capture period on the observation sites while the peak on the control site oscillates between 70.8 and 52 individuals. It therefore emerges from the observations that the catches of butterflies this year are lower than those of last year.

Tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has been an important pest in Kenya since it was reported in 2014. It is adversely affecting tomato production in the country. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of Kenyan EPNs namely; Heterorhabdities sp. and Steinernema karii against Tuta absoluta larvae under laboratory conditions in petri dish bioassays. Entomopathogenic nematodes were obtained from Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization EPNs laboratories and Tuta absoluta larvae were obtained from a colony reared and maintained in a greenhouse at Kabete Campus Field Station, Nairobi. The effect of EPNs concentrations on Tuta absoluta larvae mortality exposed for 24-72 hours was evaluated. An experiment laid out in a complete randomized design with four replicates was conducted. The results showed that the evaluated concentration rates of Heterorhabditis sp. and Steinernema karii at 100, 300 and 500 Ijs/ml significantly (p Tuta absoluta larvae compared to control and that the highest mortality was recorded at 500 Ijs/ml having been exposed for 72 hours. Steinernema karii was more pathogenic compared to Heterorhabditis sp. throughout the exposure period of 24-72 hours, having achieved 100% and 91.5% larval mortality, respectively. This study demonstrates that native EPNs have a potential for management of the tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) which can be exploited.

Introduction: The Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera Gelechiidae), is actually a most dangerous pest of solanaceous crops. Aims: While demonstrating the Tomato Leaf Miner adults, both male and female, ability to feed on tomato leaves we report an unexpected behaviour for this microlepidoptera. This paper details also morphological adaptation of the proboscis involved in feeding and evidences of the action on the leaves. Materials and Methods: Observation were given by digital camera-equipped stereoscope and Cryo-SEM. Results: We discuss the mean of adult feeding in respect to moth mating and egg laying. A possible use of adult feeding in Tomato Leaf Miner IPM is also discussed. Discussion and conclusions: The adult Tomato Leaf Miner is capable to feed by wounding tomato leaf by its proboscis.

Tuta absolute was a quarantine pest in Iran that has been recorded for the first time in 2009. The most conventional methods for control of this pest in Iran are chemical methods and mass trapping, although the efficiency of the latter method is not clear. In 2013, the efficiency of three common types of solar light traps with and without sex pheromone, along with water pan pheromone traps for control, were investigated. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design within in a tomato field. The treatments were Behroyan light trap (BL), Zist bani light trap (ZL), Russell light trap (RL), BL + pheromone, ZL+ pheromone, RL+ pheromone and water pan pheromone trap (WPT). Traps were checked weekly and the number of captured tomato leaf miner (TLM), Noctuid moths, Chrysopa sp., Coccinella septempuctata and Syrphid flies were counted. Mean weekly capture of TLM in BL, ZL and RL traps without sex pheromone were 9.11 ± 1.16, 4.94 ± 0.24 and 1.66 ± 0.7, while within traps sex pheromone were 54.72 ± 11.8, 42.05 ± 6.47, 39.02 ± 2.82, respectively. The mean weekly capture of Noctuid moths in the traps without pheromone were 16.92 ± 1.39, 25.39 ± 0.57, 1.49 ± 0.27 and with pheromone were 21.04 ± 1.72, 28.09 ± 0.95, 2.76 ± 1.39, respectively. Mean weekly capture of TLM and Noctuid moths in WPT traps were 47.13 ± 3.06 and 0.73 ± 0.27, respectively. The total attracted numbers of predators by the three light traps were not significant. In conclusion, traps baited sex pheromone (especially BL and ZL) could be used as eco- friendly tools for mass trapping of TLM and some key Noctuid moth pests in isolated tomato fields.

The tomato leaf miner (TLM), Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the major pests that attacks commercial tomato. TLM is becoming resistant to many of the pesticides used in the tomato fields. A potential alternative method of control is host plant resistance, which may be mediated by glandular trichomes. We studied glandular and non-glandular trichomes potentially related to tomato resistance of nine tomato genotypes (Lycopersicon hirsutum Humb &amp; Bonpl), extensively cultivated in western Iran. The antixenosis and/or antibiosis effect of the genotypes Mobil, Falat 3, Cal J N3, Dehghan, Super Strain B, Río Grande, King Ston, Early Urbana and Peto Mech were evaluated under greenhouse conditions (25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% R.H., photoperiod of L16: D8 h). TLM elicited the lowest egg-laying response on Peto Mech, Río Grande and King Ston; and the highest one on Dehghan. King Ston and Mobil allowed the lowest and highest larvae density on the leaves, respectively. The highest preference was observed on Mobil and the lowest one on Río Grande and King Ston. Moreover, trichome type and density of the assayed genotypes appeared to be related to TLM population density: the most infested genotype (Mobil and Cal J N3) displayed the lowest IV and VI trichome style ranks of leaf blade, vein and domatia (glandular trichomes). Significant negative relations were found between egg and larvae density with leaf I style trichome; and also larvae and adult density with IV and V style trichome. Finally, this preliminary study screened two genotypes (Río Grande and King Ston) quite promising for developing resistance programs in western Iran against TLM.

The dangerous tomato leaf miner pest ( Tuta absoluta ), which was reported to have crossed into Ethiopia via the Sudan in 2012, has scared tomato producing farmers across the country. Therefore, a study was conducted using pheromone traps to elucidate the occurrence of the insect pest and to monitor its population build-up in eastern Ethiopia. Pheromone traps were placed in the greenhouse for two months (February - March 2014) and in the open-field tomato crops for one week to monitor the tomato leaf miner moth. Examination of the traps was carried out at seven-day intervals, and the dispenser was replaced every 15 days. There was a linear increment in the number of captured moths during the surveyed time both in the greenhouse and in the open-field tomato crops. The number of moths captured ranged from 27 - 47 and 103 - 255 in the open-field and in the greenhouse, respectively. Thus, based on the examination of the traps, the presence of Tuta absoluta was confirmed for the first time in eastern Ethiopia. In the greenhouse, the larvae of the tomato leaf miner inflicted a heavy damage on young tomato plants. As a result, young plants died before flowering. The results of the study have revealed that the pest is likely to cause heavy losses in tomato crops on an unprecedented scale in the Eastern part of the country. Therefore, monitoring the pest in all tomato producing regions of the country is a vital step towards early detection and decision-making to take integrated management measures against the outbreak of the infestation. Keywords: Larvae; Leaf Miner; Moth; Pheromone Trap; Population Dynamics; Pupation; Tomato; Tuta absoluta

Tomato is the most susceptible hosts to many insect pests and broomrape, which causes significant yield losses. The present study was carried out with the purpose to know which infestation density of Egyptian broomrape (Phelipanche aegyptiaca Pomel) was affected on efficiency the bio-agent, Phytomyza orobanchia Kaltenbach (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in the area grown with tomato crop, which was affected at the same time by tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera) under natural conditions during two successive years (2019 and 2020) at El-Beheira governorate, Egypt. Three randomized fields cultivated with tomato crop in summer were selected during 2019 and 2020. Infestation densitywith Ph. aegyptiaca was divided into three levels, Low (1 – 10 shoots / plant), Medium (11 – 25 shoots / plant) and High (≥ 25 shoots / plant). Number of pupae in capsules, number of pupae in stems, total number of pupae in shoots and the percentage of pupae in capsules were determined per Ph. aegyptiaca shoot. Highest effectiveness of P. orobanchia (36.0%) was recorded in low infestation density with Ph. aegyptiaca, while with medium and high infestation density with Ph. aegyptiaca only 23.5% and 18.6%, respectively in second year 2020. No significant difference was found between low and medium infestation density with Ph. aegyptiaca in the total number of P. orobanchia pupae per shoot. At the beginning of fruiting stage of tomato crop, leaves and fruits were taken from the randomly selected tomato plants according to infestation density with Ph. aegyptiaca flourishes, to estimate the infestation percent by leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) throughout the two year (2019-2020). In addition to, percentage of parasitism by egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma on tomato leaf miner was determined. According to infestation density with Ph. aegyptiaca, tomato yield was calculated. At the end of this study, under the medium infestation density of Egyptian broomrape the infestation percent by T. absoluta was (16.67%) synchronized with high percentage of its parasitoid, Trichogramma spp. (63.2%) with high yield of tomato (820 gm/ plant) compared with control (without infestation with Ph. aegyptiaca). Obtained data may provide information for improving effective of P. orobanchia in biological control program of Ph. aegyptiaca in the frame of integrated pest management (IPM) of T. absoluta in tomato fields. However, combining Egyptian broomrape (Ph. aegyptiaca) and T. absoluta in IPM program will contribute to management efficacy as well as avoid used each control methods separately for each pest. Further research is needed to choose the timing in combining between these pests to use IPM, taking into consideration efficacy, cost and environmental aspects.

Tomato is a highly cultivated vegetable in Tanzania. The intensive tomato cultivation and production in Tanzania has resulted in high pests and diseases build-up. A survey to identify and quantify entomofauna diversity in different seasons and pest management practices in Meru District was conducted. In addition, a laboratory experiment was done to assess the effectiveness of commonly used pesticides SnowBecco (Thiamethoxam)and Belt (Flubendiamide) against two dominating insect pests, white flies (Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889)) and leaf miner (Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917)), respectively. The results obtained revealed that, tomato fields in Meru District had significantly higher entomofauna build up during dry season than the rainy season (U0.05 (df, 24)= 45, p = 0.0441). More than 70% of all collected entomofauna were dominated by the whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and tomato leaf miners (Tuta absoluta) belonging to orders Hemiptera and Lepidoptera, respectively. It was also observed that, the common pesticides management practices were the use of pesticidal cocktail, broad spectrum insecticides, use of botanical pesticides, frequent application of pesticide and insecticides over dosage. Moreover, yield reduction due to whiteflies and tomato leaf miners infestation were observed in terms of reduced fruits number per plant (38 and 18.4%), fruit size (22.4 and 14.2%), and fruits weight per plant by 43.6 and 26.2%, for Bemisia tabaci and Tuta absoluta, respectively. The study showed that the recommended doses in both tested insecticides caused significant pest mortality (F0.05 (df, 19) = 4.367, p = 0.0199) and (F0.05(df, 19) = 4.761, p = 0.0147) for B. tabaci and T. absoluta, respectively, within a specified period of time. The results suggest that high insect pest infestations could be caused by factors other than development of insecticidal tolerance including inappropriate identification of insect pests due to lack of training, and inappropriate selection and application of insecticides. Consequently, frequent application of broad spectra insecticides not only increases production expenses but also disrupts agroecosystem by killing beneficial entomofauna and disrupting soil organisms that are susceptible to insecticide toxicity.

The impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on tomato plant resistance against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in greenhouse conditions