Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the population of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and efficiency of natural enemies on tomato grown greenhouse in Mediterranean Region of Turkey during 2010 and 2011.Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) andNesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) were used for biological control of the pest. Both the egg parasitoid and preadatory bug were released alone and combined. The decrease of egg and larva numbers of T. absoluta were higher in plots released T. evanescens with N. tenuis together than each one released separately. However, the decrease of eggs was higher than larvae in plots released N. tenuis andT. evanescens alone. Population of T. absoluta and fruit numbers were influenced by the treatments. The number of fruit directly affected negatively by increasing the population density of T. absoluta. The trial demonstrated that it was necessary to establish N. tenuis population at the starting of the crop season with Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs, atleast two or three weeks ago, and together with parasitoid release, had a better significant reduction of T. absolutapopulation to reach maximum number of fruits. Key words: Greenhouse, tomato, biological control, Tuta absoluta, Trichogramma evanescens, Nesidiocoris tenuis.
Highlights
Tuta absoluta has spread very quickly in Turkey, as well as in Mediterranean countries
The study was conducted to evaluate the population of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and efficiency of natural enemies on tomato grown greenhouse in Mediterranean Region of Turkey during 2010 and 2011
Trichogramma species are the most widely used as biocontrol agents in the world and they are effective against lepidopteran eggs such as the lifeminer, T. absoluta
Summary
Tuta absoluta has spread very quickly in Turkey, as well as in Mediterranean countries. Larvae feed between the epidermal layers on leaves, causing irregular mines This mining protects the larvae from getting in contact with insecticides and decreases the effects of chemical control. Several species of predators have been evaluated as biological control agents mainly the mirid bugs Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) and Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Urbaneja et al, 2009). Both nymph and adult stages of N. tenuis are prey on T. absoluta eggs and larval stages. The objective of the study is to evaluate the population of T. absoluta as well as T. evanescens and N. tenuis after releasing against pest on greenhouse-grown tomato of Mediterranean Region, Turkey.
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