Tuta Absoluta Research Articles

Residual toxicity of pesticide active substance commonly used in tomato crop on the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera: Miridae)

AbstractNesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera Miridae) is a key biological control agent of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). However, in cases of prey scarcity, this predator switches into a phytophagous pest causing ring injuries in stems of tomato plants. The aim of this study was to assess the side effects of dry residues and explore the presence of target site resistance mutations of 10 insecticides, two bioinsecticides, an acaricide and a fungicide widely applied in IPM, on adults of N. tenuis collected from two different regions of Crete; the Western and the Eastern side of the island during two successive years. Lethal toxicity trials were performed on sprayed tomato stems and toxicity of adults of N. tenuis was recorded 2 h, 7 and 14 days after exposure. At both populations, chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam were moderately harmful at the application day and slightly harmful 7 days after the application. Only chlorpyrifos maintained its toxicity for more than 7 days. All the rest tested pesticides (emamectin benzoate, abamectin, chlorantraniliprole+abamectin, chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, tebufenpyrad, spinosad, Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki, metaflumizone and myclobutanil) were classified as harmless. Additionally, analysis of insecticide target site sequences indicated the absence of resistance mutations in both populations. Overall, our findings illustrate the impact of 15 pesticides and their residual toxicity on the mortality rates of N. tenuis adults.

Phototactic Changes in Phthorimaea absoluta Long-Wavelength Opsin Gene Mutants (LW2-/-) and Short-Wavelength Opsin Gene Mutant (BL-/-) Strains.

Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) is an invasive pest that has caused damage to tomatoes and other crops in China since 2017. Pest control is mainly based on chemical methods that pose significant threats to food safety and environmental and ecological security. Light-induced control, a green prevention and control technology, has gained attention recently. However, current light-trapping technology is non-specific, attracting targeted pests alongside natural enemies and non-target organisms. In this study, we characterized the phototactic behavior of tomato leaf miners for the development a specific light-trapping technology for pest control. In situ hybridization revealed opsin expression throughout the body. Furthermore, we investigated the tropism of pests (wild T. absoluta, Toxoptera graminum, and Bemisia tabaci) and natural enemies (Nesidiocoris tenuis and Trichogramma pintoi) using a wavelength-lamp tropism experiment. We found that 365 ± 5 nm light could accurately trap wild P. absoluta without trapping natural enemies and other insects. Finally, we analyzed the phototactic behavior of the mutant strains LW2(-/-) and BL(-/-). LW2 and BL mutants showed significant differences in phototactic behavior. The LW2(-/-) strain was attracted to light at 390 ± 5 nm and the BL(-/-) strain was unresponsive to any light. Our findings will help to develop specific light-trapping technology for controlling tomato leaf miners, providing a basis for understanding pest population dynamics and protecting crops against natural enemies.

Review on Status of Tomato Leaf Miner and It’s Management Practices

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important edible and nutritious vegetable crops of the world. It is consumed as fresh table tomato and as raw material for food processing industries It grows both on a small and commercial large scale as cash crop. Tomato production is highly constrained by several factors including insect pests and disease. The most important insect pest that is constraining tomato production tomato leaf miner- Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). Tuta absoluta is one of the most devastating tomato leaf miner and it spreads extensively in almost all parts of the world. Tomato leaf miner is a pest of other Solanaceous crops in many vegetable crop growing areas around the world. It is a serious threat for tomato production and it results in highest damage. <i>T. absoluta</i> has fast growth rate with developmental stages of egg, larvae, pupa, and adult and it adapts to different environmental conditions. A larva is the most destructive one that consumes preferably leaves stems and fruits of the tomato plant on which they develop creating mines and galleries. by hiding within mesophyll of the plant tissues. To control tuta absoluta focused on different environmental friendly approaches that inclusively termed as IPM strategies. These are cultural practices, biopesticides, and biological using parasitoids, predators, inheritance sterility development in insect and pest resistant plant cultivar production are considered as promising alternatives to control <i>T. absoluta</i>. Therefore, this review briefly describes the current status of these methods used to design suitable and sustainable management strategies against <i>T. absoluta</i>. The aim of this review paper is describing the status of the pest and its control methods.

The Impact of High-Temperature Stress on the Growth and Development of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick).

Insect life processes and reproductive behaviors are significantly affected by extremely high temperatures. This study focused on Tuta absoluta, which poses a severe threat to tomato cultivars. The effects of intense heat stress on the growth, development, oviposition, and longevity of T. absoluta were investigated. This investigation encompassed various developmental stages, including eggs, pupae, and adults. This study revealed that egg hatching and pupa emergence rates were significantly reduced at a temperature of 44 °C maintained for 6 h. The longevity of adults that emerged after the egg and pupal stages were exposed to 44 °C for 6 h was significantly reduced compared to the control. Notably, there was no significant variation in adult fecundity after egg-stage exposure to high temperatures. However, all treatments exhibited significantly reduced fecundity compared to the control after exposure to high temperatures during the pupal stage. Adult survival rates after exposure to 40 °C and 44 °C for 3 h were 74.29% and 22.40%, respectively, dramatically less than that of the control, which was 100%. However, no significant differences were noted in terms of longevity and egg production. These results offer a better understanding of the complex interactions between extreme temperatures and the life history traits of T. absoluta, thereby offering valuable insights for implementing management strategies to alleviate its impact on tomato crops in response to climate change.

Toxicity and repellent activity of a carlina oxide nanoemulsion toward the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta

Toxicity and repellent activity of a carlina oxide nanoemulsion toward the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta

Unlocking precision: Advancing rapid field molecular identification of Tuta absoluta across its life cycle using locked nucleic acid strategies

Rapid and accurate insect identification is crucial for effective plant quarantine procedures. This study introduced a reverse transcription recombinase-assisted amplification-lateral flow strip (RT RAA-LFS), specifically designed for on-site detection of the globally quarantined pest, Tuta absoluta, within a 25-minute timeframe. A pivotal strategy involved integrating three locked nucleic acid (LNA) modifications into a species-specific probe, enabling RT RAA to selectively and efficiently amplify the unique haplotype of T. absoluta's mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. After determining the amplification product dilution factor and the volumes of primers, magnesium acetate, and nucleic acid lysate in the amplification system, the finalized RT RAA-LFS system is capable of direct visual detection, complemented by handheld fluorescence detection for quantum dots (QDs) fluorescence on the lateral flow strip. This technique successfully identifies various developmental stages of T. absoluta in crude nucleic acid lysates without the need for genomic DNA extraction. Moreover, it detected the target gene in the genomic solution, reaching concentrations as low as 1.6 pg or 51 copies per 50-µL reaction system, aligning with qPCR results. Field validation with 50 insect samples supports the correlation between RT RAA-LFS quantum dots' fluorescence intensity and LFS color intensity, affirming the system's reliability in estimating the target gene copy number (R=0.584, p < 0.01). This validation emphasizes the practical efficacy of the RT RAA-LFS system for T. absoluta detection, highlighting its potential as a rapid on-site tool in agricultural pest management.

DNA methylase 1 influences temperature responses and development in the invasive pest Tuta absoluta.

DNA methylase 1 (Dnmt1) is an important regulatory factor associated with biochemical signals required for insect development. It responds to changes in the environment and triggers phenotypic plasticity. Meanwhile, Tuta absolutaMeyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)-a destructive invasive pest-can rapidly invade and adapt to different habitats; however, the role of Dnmt1 in this organism has not been elucidated. Accordingly, this study investigates the mechanism(s) underlying the rapid adaptation of Tuta absoluta to temperature stress. Potential regulatory genes were screened via RNAi (RNA interference), and the DNA methylase in Tuta absoluta was cloned by RACE (Rapid amplification of cDNA ends). TaDnmt1 was identified as a potential regulatory gene via bioinformatics; its expression was evaluated in response to temperature stress and during different development stages using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results revealed that TaDnmt1 participates in hot/cold tolerance, temperature preference and larval development. The full-length cDNA sequence of TaDnmt1 is 3765 bp and encodes a 1254 kDa protein with typical Dnmt1 node-conserved structural features and six conserved DNA-binding active motifs. Moreover, TaDnmt1 expression is significantly altered by temperature stress treatments and within different development stages. Hence, TaDnmt1 likely contributes to temperature responses and organismal development. Furthermore, after treating with double-stranded RNA and exposing Tuta absoluta to 35°C heat shock or -12°C cold shock for 1 h, the survival rate significantly decreases; the preferred temperature is 2°C lower than that of the control group. In addition, the epidermal segments become enlarged and irregularly folded while the surface dries up. This results in a significant increase in larval mortality (57%) and a decrease in pupation (49.3%) and eclosion (50.9%) rates. Hence, TaDnmt1 contributes to temperature stress responses and temperature perception, as well as organismal growth and development, via DNA methylation regulation. These findings suggest that the rapid geographic expansion of T absoluta has been closely associated with TaDnmt1-mediated temperature tolerance. This study advances the research on 'thermos Dnmt' and provides a potential target for RNAi-driven regulation of Tuta absoluta.

Assessment of development and consumption rate of Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner predator on different prey stages

BackgroundMacrolophus caliginosus Wagner is one of the most important polyphagous predatory mirid bug that attack many agriculture insect pests.MethodsThe present study was carried out to show the effect of different prey stages as Tuta absoluta (eggs and fourth larval stage), Bemisia tabaci (eggs and three nymph stages) and Aphids gossypii (1st nymph stage) on the life cycle and consumption rate of male and females of M. caliginosus as predator under laboratory condition. The experiments were started by collecting the first stage of M. caliginosus nymph and placed separately on acalypha plants situated on saturated cotton pads inside Petri dishes with an excess of each prey.ResultsThe results showed that the developmental period of the total immature stages of M. caliginosus female are affected by type and stage of tested prey. So, the duration of larval stages of female was significantly recorded the longest in case of feeding on eggs of T. absoluta compare to 1st nymph of A. gossypii. In addition to extension the adult longevity of female M. caliginosus, which fed on the 1st nymphal instar of B. tabaci more than the other pests. The consumption rate of total immature stages and adult M. caliginosus female were fed on eggs of B. tabaci was more than the other test pests. While the consumption rate of total immature stages and adult of male M. caliginosus were fed on eggs of B. tabaci was higher than that of the other pests.ConclusionsThe search was given the highlight focus on ability of mirid bugs to consume different insect species “stages” that might be facilitate rear predatory bugs under laboratory condition.

Lethal, sublethal and transgenerational effects of broflanilide on Tuta absoluta

Lethal, sublethal and transgenerational effects of broflanilide on Tuta absoluta

Spinosad-induced intergenerational sublethal effects on Tuta absoluta: biological traits and related genes expressions

Spinosad-induced intergenerational sublethal effects on Tuta absoluta: biological traits and related genes expressions

Repellent and insecticidal effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and its volatiles on Tuta absoluta

Repellent and insecticidal effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and its volatiles on Tuta absoluta

Age, weight, and mating status of the male influence female choice and reproductive success in Tuta absoluta

Age, weight, and mating status of the male influence female choice and reproductive success in Tuta absoluta

Assessment of the impact of pea albumin 1 subunit b (PA1b) on Tuta absoluta through foliar application and microinjection

Assessment of the impact of pea albumin 1 subunit b (PA1b) on Tuta absoluta through foliar application and microinjection

Risk assessment, cross-resistance, biochemical mechanism and fitness cost of tetraniliprole resistance in the tomato pinworm Tutaabsoluta

Tuta absoluta is one of the most devastating and invasive insect pests throughout the world. It feeds on numerous solanaceous plant species and has evolved resistance to various types of popular chemical agents. Tetraniliprole is a novel diamide chemical agent that acts as a modulator of the ryanodine receptor, and it has been considered as a promising insecticide against T. absoluta. In this study, we subjected a T. absoluta strain to 17 generations of continuous selection with tetraniliprole in the lab. The resulting tetraniliprole-selected T. absoluta strain (YN-Tet) exhibited a 12.9-fold higher resistance to tetraniliprole compared with a susceptible strain (YN–S), and the realized heritability (h2) was estimated to be 0.1437. The YN-Tet strain exhibited a low level of cross-resistance to chlorantraniliprole and significantly higher cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity. There was a fitness cost of tetraniliprole resistance in the YN-Tet strain, which had a relative fitness of 0.83 compared with the YN-S strain and a significantly lower fecundity per female. These results enhance our knowledge of the risk and mechanism of tetraniliprole resistance, enabling future optimization of resistance management strategies.

Joint effects of inter-specific and intra-specific diversity of tomato volatile profiles on antixenosis against Tuta absoluta

Joint effects of inter-specific and intra-specific diversity of tomato volatile profiles on antixenosis against Tuta absoluta

Trichogramma chilonis is a promising biocontrol agent against Tuta absoluta in China: results from laboratory and greenhouse experiments

Trichogramma chilonis is a promising biocontrol agent against Tuta absoluta in China: results from laboratory and greenhouse experiments

Ovarian development and role of vitellogenin gene in reproduction of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta

Ovarian development and role of vitellogenin gene in reproduction of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta

Thelytokous strains have better biocontrol potential than arrhenotokous strains: the parasitoid Neochrysocharis formosa on the invasive tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta as a case study

Thelytokous strains have better biocontrol potential than arrhenotokous strains: the parasitoid Neochrysocharis formosa on the invasive tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta as a case study

Tuta absoluta management in China: progress and prospects

Tuta absoluta management in China: progress and prospects

Life history theory explains observed plasticity in Tuta absoluta age and size at pupation

Life history theory explains observed plasticity in Tuta absoluta age and size at pupation