Estimation insecticidal action of Abamectin and Neem oil against Tuta absoluta insect (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae)

Abstract

Abstract
 Tuta absoluta insect is one of the pests that has spread recently as a major pest for many species of the nightshade family especially the tomato crop, as it was recorded as an imported pest in Iraq in 2009. The harmful role of this insect is the larvae, as the larvae work mines as a result of their feeding on the mesophyll layer in the crop leaves, which affects the process of photosynthesis, in addition to the holes they make in the stems and fruits, which quickly become infected with mold as a result of the action of pathogens . Based on the above, this experiment was conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of some biological control elements in management the tomato leaf miner T. absoluta, which may have an important role in reducing its spread. Laboratory biocontrol tests indicated that significant difference among the treatments compared to control for all used pesticides concentrations and all time durations also biocide abamectin was superior to the botaincal insecticide neem oil in mortality rates. Results showed that the relative effectiveness of pesticides increased with the increase in the concentration used for all pesticides, the highest mortality rates were at high concentrations of both pesticides used in the experiment also increased with increasing time period, larvae mortality at a concentration of 10% for neem oil was 68.55, and the larvae mortality at 0.50 concentration of abamectin was 67.50 after 24 hours of treatment, and this percentage began to increase until it reached (90% and 94.50%) for ( neem oil and abamectin) respectively after 72 hours of treatment.