Leafminer Populations Research Articles

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA to estimate the population genetic structure of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917)

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) has become a serious menace to the sustainable production of tomatoes in Kenya. Investigating the genetic diversity, geographical distribution, and community structure of T. absoluta from various locations utilizing the Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) of the mtDNA gene information available on NCBI databases. Based on the COI of mtDNA, the haplotype analysis revealed six haplotypes, which displayed low nucleotide (π = 0.00021) diversity. In contrast, haplotype diversity (Hd) was 0.05, and the number of segregating sites (S) was 13. The result showed that the tomato leaf miner population from Central Kenya had high variability in haplotype supported by the haplotype network. Tajima (D) and Fu's Fs were found to be negative (P greater than 0.05), whereas the overall FST value was 0.00077 (P greater than 0.001). In conclusion, genetic analysis showed there was no high variation amongst population from different locations.

Impact of genotypic mixture on soybean (Glycine max) pest population

An experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2018 and 2019 at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, and Madhya Pradesh to study the impact of genotypic mixture on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] pest population. A total of 16 soybean genotypes and 4 genotypic mixtures were evaluated for relative efficacy in management of insect-pests of soybean. Among the 20 treatments, the plots with genotypic mixtures had lowest population of Spodoptera exigua Hubner and at par with each other. In case of Spodoptera litura Fabricius, tussock moth, blue beetle and grey weevil management, a mixture of the genotypes JS-9560, JS-20-34, MAUS-47 and MACS-1460 was found most effective treatment. The plots with the genotypic mixtures of NRC-37, JS-9752, RSC-1046 and RKS-113 supported the least population of semiloopers. However, lowest population of leaf miner and girdle beetle was recorded in plots of JS-20-34 while the least population of stem fly was recorded in RSC-1046. The differences observed due to the genotypic combinations may be used for developing inset-pest management programmes in soybean.

Screening of new promising varieties of berseem (<i>Trifolium alexandrinum</i>) against aphid and leafminer

High Quality fodder crops are a key component of the white uprising of milk yield. Berseem is a top forage crop also known as the Queen of all Cultivated Fodders or the Green Gold of the Asia. The experiment was designed to screen out the six varieties of berseem viz. F-01-16, F-02-16, F01-17, F-02-17, F-01-18 and F-02-18 against aphid and leaf minor. The data regarding aphid and leaf miner was recorded on weekly bases from five selected plants. The results showed significant difference in aphid and leaf miner population among six berseem varieties. The results depicted that maximum seasonal mean population of aphid was observed in F-02-16 (1.06) followed by F-01-17 (1.03) while minimum mean population was observed in the case of F-02-17 (0.84) followed by F-01-16 (0.96). In case of leaf miner, it was observed that maximum seasonal population was recorded in F-01-18 (13.21) followed by F-02-16 (12.47) while minimum mean population was calculated in the case of F-02-17 (8.45) followed by F-01-16 (11.65).

Impact of Climate and Plant age on Tomato leaf Miner Population Patterns, Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Impact of Climate and Plant age on Tomato leaf Miner Population Patterns, Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Estimation of the infestation rate and parasitism rate of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella in a Thomson orchard near a greenhouse where beneficials are reared in Boufarik-Blida (Algeria)

The citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella causes severe damage to young citrus shoots in Algeria. It therefore indirectly delays fruit set and consequently production and crop profitability. The endophytic lifestyle of the insect's larvae has made chemical control difficult, making the use of other control agents essential.
 To this end, a study on the population dynamics of Phyllocnistis citrella and the incidence of the parasite was carried out for 08 months in 2021 (from January to August 2021) in the Boufarik-Blida region (Algeria) on the Thomson variety.
 The main results gathered from the sampling show that the parasitism rate reached 68% and the infection rate 39%, due to the intervention of auxiliaries (Semielacher petiolatus, Cirostichus phyllocnistoides) from the greenhouse where these species are reared near the Thomson orchard. The citrus leafminer population is declining. Parasite brokering has a positive effect on the defense against Phyllocnistis citrella and represents an effective method of reinforcing biological control of this pest. In addition, the installation of mini greenhouses for the rearing of beneficials in orchards infested by citrus leafminer can be proposed as a means of reinforcing biological control. Moreover, regional containment is a healthy alternative in the context of integrated pest management, helping the ecosystem to reduce pollution. For this reason, it is worthwhile scheduling containment periods in agricultural regions.

Population Dynamics of Defoliator Pests of (Arachis hypogea L.) in Different Staggered Sowings

The present study was conducted to assess the incidence of defoliator pests of groundnut in three different staggered sowings. The experiment was laid with three treatments and seven replications which was carried out at RARS (Regional Agricultural Research Station), Palem, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana state which is having hot and dry climate. The data has been correlated with various weather parameters, including Maximum temperature, Maximum temperature, RH-I and RH-II. The variety K-6 was grown in three staggered sowings (D1: 1st Oct; D2: 15th Oct; D3: 1st Nov). There was a less population of leaf miner during D1 the correlation studies revealed that tobacco caterpillar showed a non-significant negative correlation with the Tmax ºC (r= -0.233) and a significant positive correlation with Tmin ºC (r= 0.370) and RH-Ⅱ (r=0.640). whereas gram caterpillar showed a positive significant correlation to Tmax (r= 0.256) and Tmin (r= 0.097) and a negative significant correlation towards RH-Ⅰ (r= -0.186) and RH-Ⅱ (r= -0.501).

Relative Abundance of Insect Pests on French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Relation to Abiotic Factors

The present investigation was carried out during Rabi 2021-22. The incidence of insect pests like aphid, whitefly, Jassid, leaf miner, pod borer was initiated 25 days after sowing till harvesting. The highest incidence of Jassid was observed on French bean crop at 9th SMW (7.20 per cage) and lowest 1st SMW (0.30 per cage), Aphid 8thSMW (45.20 aphids per 10cm terminal shoot) and 52thSMW (2.60 aphids per 10cm terminal shoot). The highest incidence of whitefly observed in 8th SMW (20.70 per cage) and lowest 2nd SMW (0.60 per cage). The highest incidence of Leaf miner was recorded in 11th SMW (40.50% leaf damage) and lowest in 51th SMW (1.50% leaf damage). The highest incidence of pod borer was noticed in 9th SMW (8.70 larvae per plant) and lowest in 1st SMW (0.30 larvae per plant). The Jassid population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive significant correlation with maximum temperature and positive correlation with minimum temperature whereas, significant negative correlation with rainfall and negative non-significant correlation with relative humidity. The aphid population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive non-significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature. The whitefly population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive non-significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature. The leaf miner population showed positive highly significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature and significant positive correlation with relative humidity. The pod borer population showed highly significant correlation with maximum temperature and sunshine. The information generated in the present research can be successfully utilized to formulated effective insect pest management strategies in French bean.

Population dynamics of arthropods on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum l.) in Vindhya plateau region of Madhya Pradesh

The field experiment results on “population dynamics of different insect pest and their natural enemies on tomato” showed that the aphid population peaked in the 7th SMW (8.83 aphids/6 leaves) during Rabi Season 2021-22. Amrasca biguttula population attained its peak (6.33 jassids/ 6 leaves) during the 11th SMW. The first peak of the leaf miner population was observed (4.67 leaf miner/6 leaves) during the 11th SMW and the second during the 16th SMW. The tomato mirid bug had the highest mean population (5.80 bugs/ plant) during the 11th SMW. The damaged fruit borer (H. armigera) was first recorded during the 9th SMW and maximum fruit damage was 96 per cent during the 13th SMW. The maximum mean population of ladybird beetle (5.26 lady beetles/ plant) and weaver ant (12.06 Weaver ant/ plant) was recorded during the 11th standard week. The peak population of damselfly (2.20 damselfly/ plant), whitefly (7.83 whitefly/6 leaves) and dragonfly (2.20 dragonflies/plant) were observed during the 10th SMW.

Impact of Abiotic Factors on Population Dynamics of Leaf Miner, Aproaerema modicella D. and Its Natural Enemies in Groundnut

Groundnut leaf miner (Aproaerema modicella. D.) is an important leaf feeding insect in groundnut that significantly reduces the pod yield up to 50 per cent. The growth and development of this insect pest is closely associated with the abiotic weather parameters prevailing in a particular location. Due to paucity of information available on the population dynamics of groundnut leaf miner with abiotic weather factors, a study was undertaken in Erode district of Tamil Nadu during Summer, 2023. Groundnut leaf miner damages were recorded through the fixed plots survey and the adult moth activities were monitored through pheromone traps at weekly intervals. From this study it was found that, the leaf miner incidences were observed from 30 days after sowing. The highest mean leaf miner mean damage (17.84%), pheromone adult catches (58.38 nos./5 traps), coccinellid beetle population (4.70 nos./10 plants) and spider population (5.17 nos./10 plants) were observed during 9th SMW. Whereas, the rove beetle population was maximum (4.62 nos./10 plants) during 10th SMW. The correlation study revealed that the maximum temperature had positive correlation and rainfall had negative correlation with the populations of groundnut leaf miner and its natural enemies. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the weather parameters together had 66.00 to 95.00 per cent influence on the groundnut leaf miner and its natural enemy population. The present study clearly indicated that, the population of groundnut leaf miner and its damage levels were closely related to the abiotic weather parameters prevailed in the study area during entire crop duration. Better understanding of the weather factors resulted in better leaf miner management and more net profit for the groundnut growers.

Reflex of Different Pest Management Modules against Sucking Insect-pests and Pod Borer for the Safety of Beneficial Insects in Vegetable French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Background: Natural farming (NF) is a farming system that uses environmentally friendly pest and disease management practices. In contrast to chemical farming, it avoids use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides and hence, offers an alternative way for the eco-friendly pest management for the sustainable crop production. French bean crop is ravaged by wide array of insect pests wherein, sucking insect-pests like aphids, leaf miner and pod borer causing considerable damage. To manage these pests, farmers are spraying both recommended and non-recommended synthetic chemical pesticides having adverse effects on environment and human beings. Methods: Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the pest management strategies against sucking insect-pests and pod borer infesting French bean over a period of three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22 at College of Horticulture, Sirsi, Uttar Kannada (Hill Zone of Karnataka) during summer season. Four pest management modules viz., farmers practice, organic farming, natural farming (NF) and recommended package of practices (RPP) were evaluated to manage the pests in an eco-friendly manner. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with five replications comprising of four treatments. The standard protocol was followed for recording observations. Result: Among the different modules tested, farmers practice recorded lowest population of aphids, leaf miner and pod borer and was at par with recommended package of practices. Whereas, Organic farming and natural farming recorded moderate level of pest infestation and quite safe for maintaining the predators like Coccinellids, Chrysoperla carnea and spider population for natural predation. The cost of plant protection measures was also least in these modules which indicates the socially and economically acceptable farming practices which may be adopted for safer French bean production.

Integrated effect of insecticide and sex pheromone on the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is currently a major threat to tomato globally. Growers in Ethiopia rely on insecticides to control the pest, which is not sustainable because of the insect's ability to develop resistance fast. The rational use of pesticides is useful to delay pesticide resistance. The integrated effect of sex pheromone and insecticide in the population of the tomato leafminer and its damage on tomato was investigated for two seasons between 2020 and 2021 at Melkassa center of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). Treatments consisted of trapping using sex pheromone alone, insecticide use alone and a combination of trapping using sex pheromone and insecticide (integrated treatment) along with the untreated control. Four fields, each with three replicates of plots for each treatment were used by keeping each field wide apart to minimize the movement of adult population of the insect. Treatment effects were assessed by counting the immature stages of the insect and damage both on the leaves and tomato fruits. Treatments differed significantly for mining larvae but not for the number of eggs. Leaf damage was significantly higher in the untreated control than in the rest of the treatments. In both years, similar trends of results for the percentage of damaged fruits were observed, which was lowest in the integrated treatment followed by insecticide alone, pheromone trap alone and untreated control. Results from this study suggest the need to integrate pheromone traps with insecticides to achieve better protection from Tuta absoluta damage on tomato.

Dynamics of Pests, Natural Enemies and Pollinators of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill and Correlation with Weather Parameters

The experiment was carried out at K.V.K. Instructional Farm located near College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (O.U.A.T.), Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, during the cropping season 2020–21. The most significant pests found in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill were tomato fruit worm, serpentine leaf miner, and whitefly, while flea beetle was of minor importance.The population of whitefly had significant negative correlation with evening and mean relative humidity (RH). The population of leaf miner had significant positive correlation with maximum, minimum and mean temperature but significant negative correlation with mean RH. There was a significant positive correlation of flea beetle population with minimum temperature. The tomato fruit borer population had significant positive correlation with maximum, minimum and mean temperature but significant negative correlation with morning and mean RH. The natural enemies, lady bird beetles, spiders, praying mantis, rove beetle, red ant, dragonfly (red body) and damselflies (blue, brick red and black body) were found in the plots. The population of spider had significant negative correlation with maximum, minimum and mean temperature but significant positive correlation with bright sunshine hours (BSH). The population of spider had significant negative correlation with evening RH but significant positive correlation with BSH. There was a significant positive correlation of red ant population with BSH. The population of rove beetle had significant positive correlation with maximum, minimum and mean temperature. The pollinators recorded from experimental field were honey bee and carpenter bee. Of which, carpenter bee was the most frequent floral visitor and considered the main pollinator of tomato. The pollinators appeared in higher numbers during the blooming period and was the dominant species found in the field. There was a significant negative correlation of population of carpenter bee with maximum, minimum and mean temperature. The population of honey bee had significant negative correlation with evening RH.

Impact of Progressive Pruning on Leaf Miner (<i>Coelaenomenodera lameensis</i>) Incidence and the Yield of Oil Palm (<i>Elaeis guineensis</i>) <br/>—A Case Study of Benso Oil Palm Plantation Plc, Adum Banso Estate, Ghana

The oil palm leaf miner, Coelaenomenodera lameensis, is currently the most destructive pest of oil palm in Ghana and other African oil palm growing countries, causing significant losses in fresh fruit bunch yield. Progressive pruning is an oil palm pruning method in which pruning is done at the same time as fresh fruit bunch harvesting. This study evaluated the impact of progressive pruning on leaf miner population in oil palm and how these two factors (leaf miner and progressive pruning) affect the yield of oil palm at the Benso Oil Palm Plantation Public listed company (BOPP. Plc). Five distinct blocks in the plantation were selected for observations on fronds at various ranks (33, 25, or 17) based on the degree of defoliation by counting the number of pests on leaflets at different phases of insect development. Fronds from selected plots were sampled in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The size of plots used for the study ranged between 19 to 45 hectares. A minimum of 78 fronds were evenly cut from each block for pest count depending on the block size. Secondary data on annual yields of fresh fruit bunches before and after the introduction of progressive pruning were also obtained from BOPP. Plc records from 2011-2020. The results from the analyzed data on leaf miner index before and after the introduction of progressive pruning showed that progressive pruning has, to a high extent (64% to 36%), reduced leaf miner populations in the plantation. Paired t-test on fresh fruit bunch yield has also revealed a significant (p , however, revealed a lower rate of yield loss (3.05 to 2.7 tonnes) to leaf miner infestation after the introduction of progressive pruning. The study recommends progressive pruning as a key cultural practice for improving crop yields in leaf miner prone plantations.

Predatorska stenica Nesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera: Miridae), prirodni neprijatelj štetnih insekta u plasteničkoj proizvodnji paradajza

Species of zoophytophagous genus Dicyphina, plant bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) are among the most abundant and effective predators of tomato pests. Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter, 1895 (Hemiptera: Miridae) is the predominant species of Dicyphina sp. and it is considered to be a major natural enemy of insect pests in tomato crops in the Mediterranean region. This predatory bug is proved to be particularly successful in suppressing Tuta absoluta Meadow, 1917 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a major pest of tomato in greenhouse production. Aims of the study were to 1) investigate the efficiency of the mirid predatory bug N. tenuis in greenhouse tomato production and 2) to estimate the possibilities of its application in commercial vegetable production in Western Balkan countries of Europe. The significance of the study results relies on the possibility of commercialisation and general promotion of biological agent N. tenuis in tomato production in South East part of Europe, where the usage of pesticides still dominates the field of plant protection, both in vegetables and other agricultural sectors. According to the obtained results, the biological agent N. tenuis represents a reliable tool for controlling the level of the tomato leaf miner population by keeping the pest below its economic and intervention threshold.

Diversity of Hymenopteran Parasitoids in Coffee Plantations under Agroecological Transition and Its Impact on Coffee Leaf Miner (Leucoptera coffeella) Infestations

The biodiversity of natural competitors is vital to key ecosystem services and agroecosystems’ benefits to society. The abundance and richness of hymenopteran parasitoid communities, and subsequently their services, are dependent on the variety of habitats in the different agroecological landscapes. Here, we monitored the fluctuation of predatory wasps and hymenopteran parasitoid populations and their impacts on coffee leaf miner infestations under different coffee plantation landscapes. Thus, 24 sampling plots were arranged in four cultivation systems: conventional (CONV), in transition to organic shaded (T.OSH), in transition to organic full-sun (T.OFS), and without pesticide (T.WOP). In each plot, leaves with intact mines were collected randomly once a month over a period of 23 months. Parasitoid species, coffee leaf miner infestation, predation, and parasitism were assessed based on the emerged parasitoids and wasps’ activity signs in the mines. The data on parasitoids revealed the presence of 621 hymenopteran parasitoids, of which, 420 were Braconids and 201 were Eulophids. Overall, the abundance of braconid specimens (67.6%) was greater, but the species richness was higher in Eulophids. The highest species richness of L. coffeella parasitoids was in T.OSH and T.OFS. Furthermore, in the coffee plants evaluated, the coffee leaf miner population is well established and does not cause economic damage, as the spontaneous action of predatory wasps and parasitoids, in addition to climatic factors, contributes to regulating these pest infestations. Of these parasitoids, the braconid Orgilus niger and Stiropius reticulatus were found to be promising and well-adapted control provider species.

Seasonal occurrence of Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach) and their parasitoids on cucumber crop

The results of this study revealed a steady increase in population density of leaf miners Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach) from 1.33 larvae/leaf at the beginning of the season to 3.3, 6, and 7 larvae/leaf with the progression of the agricultural season until 10 November, a slight drop in population occurred at the end of the season. The results revealed that the leaf miner population showed a significant negative correlation (-0.74) with maximum temperature and a non-significant negative correlation with minimum temperature. The maximum percentage of factor role was 55% for maximum temperature and ( 18 %) for the minimum temperature. Two species of insect parasitoids (Diglyphus isaea and Opius sp ) Hymenoptera order were recorded on the leafminer Liriomyza bryoniae larvae and pupae. Diglyphus isaea was the most common species. It was active throughout the growing season and increased in number as the leafminer populations increased. The rate of % parasitism was 4.3 % on 7 Aug. increased to 7.8, 12.8, 20.3, and 38.2% on 1 Sept., 7 Sept., 7 Oct., and 21 Oct respectively, while the rate of % parasitism of Opius sp ranged from 2.6% to 5.9% from 14 Sept to 21 Oct.

Seasonal abundance and role of host plant on the tomato leaf miner populations dynamics, Tuta absoluta, in Senegal

ISHS IV All Africa Horticultural Congress - AAHC2021: Transformative Innovations in Horticulture Seasonal abundance and role of host plant on the tomato leaf miner populations dynamics, Tuta absoluta, in Senegal

Identification of alternative hosts of the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in West Africa

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) reached West Africa in 2012 and has since become a major tomato pest. Various alternative strategies for pest control have been identified worldwide, including crop rotation, to deprive the insect of its food. However, this method can only be implemented if a good knowledge of the local host plants of the leafminer have been identified. Here, we have assessed the capacity of Tuta absoluta to develop on 27 common vegetable crops in West Africa, representing the Poaceae, Apiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Amaranthaceae, Malvaceae, Lamiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, and Amaryllidaceae. The tomato leafminer was only able to develop and complete its life cycle on crops within the genus Solanum. Among the 27 plant species tested, Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato) was identified as the best host, allowing for rapid development (22.2 ± 1.4 days) and a high survival rate (84%). Solanum tuberosum L. (Irish potato) (24.4 ± 0.8 days; survival rate 40%), Solanum aethiopicum L. (African eggplant) (24.3 ± 0.6 days; survival rate 52%) and Solanum melongena L. (eggplant) (25.9 ± 1.8 days; survival rate 24%) were three other possible hosts. Larval development occurred on onion (Allium cepa L.), but not pupation. A strategy that includes a prolonged absence of the genus Solanum in a production area would be associated with a considerable reduction in leafminer population size.

The effects of thiamethoxam on coffee seedling morphophysiology and Neotropical leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella) infestations.

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the main commodities produced in Brazil. Insecticides like the (systemic) neonicotinoid thiamethoxam are widely used to suppress pest populations during coffee production, in particular the Neotropical leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae). In addition to its efficacy against this pest species, thiamethoxam is also thought to be a bioactivator of plant metabolism, but has not yet been tested for such activity. Thus, the objectives of the present study were (1) to assess the concentration-response effects of thiamethoxam on the vegetative vigor of coffee seedlings (C. arabica 'Catuaí 144' cultivar) at different concentrations [2, 20, 40, 80 and 200 mg active ingredient (a.i.)kg-1 ] applied via soil drenching and (2) to evaluate if the plant response interferes with the effectiveness of thiamethoxam in controlling leaf miner populations. The morphophysiological traits of the coffee seedlings were evaluated 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after application, and leaf miner infestations were recorded starting 20 days after the insecticide application with the releasing of adults, and every 20 days afterwards. The results indicated that thiamethoxam has a deleterious effect on the morphophysiological traits of the plants compromising their development with increase in concentrations. However, leaf area exhibited a different pattern with a peak at 50 mg a.i.kg-1 consistent with thiamethoxam-induced hormesis (i.e. biphasic response with stimulatory effect at sublethal range of a toxic substance at the higher concentration). Nonetheless, such bioactivator effect did not affect thiamethoxan effectiveness against the leaf miner even at the lowest concentration tested. Thiamethoxan exhibited bioactivation effect on leaf at low concentration, but without compromising efficacy against leaf miner populations. Therefore, its proposed metabolism-boosting properties may encourage the unnecessary use of this insecticide, potentially leading to higher selection for insecticide resistance and an eventual decline in its effectiveness against the Neotropical leaf miner. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

A predator-parasitoid mathematical model to describe the biological control of the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta

The Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), or tomato leafminer, is one of the most devastating pests of tomato crops in South America. The use of parasitoids and predators as biocontrol agents of this pest is an alternative to chemical insecticides and an environmentally safe strategy. However, an outcome of a three-way interspecific interaction (pest-parasitoid-predator) may bring surprises. The question is thus how a combination of enemies can contribute most effectively to reduction of the pest density. We examine this using an ordinary differential equations model. The formal and numerical analyses show that the joint use of both biological controls is the best option to decrease the tomato leafminer population, in contrast to the use of each biological control agent separately. Specifically, the numerical results show that in a scenario where the only biological control is given by the parasitoid, the introduction of the predator decreases the adult Tuta population by 28%, reducing even more the damage caused in tomato crops compared to the use of parasitoid alone.