Tuta absoluta is a type of moth that originates from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It was introduced to North America where this invasive insect has since been found in at least seventeen states, including three Canadian provinces. Like many invasive insects, Tuta absoluta was introduced inadvertently in shipments of nursery plants and propagated for use as biological control agents against other species of insects and plant diseases. After these releases, insecticide for tuta absoluta became necessary in residential and ornamental settings.
Tuta absoluta or tomato leaf miner is a major pest of processed and fresh tomatoes, both in greenhouses and open field crops. It also occurs on eggplants, sweet peppers as well as potatoes, and various other cultivated plants and weeds of the Solanaceae family (Solanum nigrum, Datura spp.).
This pest has spread rapidly since its introduction to Europe in 2006 and within just a few years its global status has changed completely, from a South American tomato pest into a major threat to world tomato production. In tomatoes, it can attack any plant part at any crop stage and, if it’s not managed at all, it can cause up to 100% crop destruction. To protect your tomato from this devastating pest, all cultural, biological, and chemical practices should be managed.
About Tuta Absoluta
The Tuta Absoluta is a mite that attacks the leaves of plants and causes them to wither. It is most commonly found in warm, dry climates, especially in Mediterranean areas. The mite can survive in temperatures as low as 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but it prefers warmer temperatures.
The Tuta Absoluta is pale green in color, has six legs, and is 0.3 mm long. Its eggs are white and oval-shaped, and its larvae are similar in color but have eight legs instead of six. The Tuta Absoluta is spread through insects like honey bees and butterflies that carry the eggs on their bodies or legs until they hatch into larvae. They are then deposited onto plants when the insect lands for nectar or pollen and lays another egg after drinking its fill. This process can happen up to three times per day, meaning that one insect can transfer thousands of eggs per day.
Cultural control
Ploughing, manuring, irrigation, crop rotation, solarisation, and the elimination of symptomatic leaves and destruction of infested tomato plants have all been used to control this pest. The removal of alternative reservoir hosts such as nightshades is strongly recommended before and during the cropping cycle. In greenhouses, one of the management tactics used to reduce the initial level of populations is to keep infested greenhouses closed after harvest to prevent the migration of adults to open-field crops. Alternating host crops, mainly tomato and potato, with non-host cultures can ensure a long-term reduction in pest pressure.
Biological control
The most common predators against T. Absoluta, commercially available and widely used, are the mirid bugs Nesidiocoris tenuis, Pseudo Apanteles, Podisus, Macrolophus pygmaeus and bacteria Trichogramma and Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt), which controls the first-instar larvae.
For control of leaf miners’ eggs, larvae, and adults can also be used in several fungal species including Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, and entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema feltiae.
Some additional alternative control methods are used in T. Absoluta control, based on the use of insect sex pheromones, for moth pests population control. Sex pheromones are chemical signals released by an organism to attract an individual of the same species of the opposite sex for mating. It is usually suggested to use 1 trap/ha in greenhouses smaller than 2,500 m2 and 2–4 traps/ha in greenhouses wider than 2,500 m2, in open-field crops, 2–3 traps/ha are recommended. In order to determine the direction of the infestation, two more traps can be added along all four edges of the field.
Chemical control
Against T. absoluta are currently used a large number of insecticides, including spinosin, indoxacarb, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, and cyromazine. There is a long list of pesticides registered for the management of this pest, but these insecticides are of low to moderate effectiveness due to the cryptic nature of the larvae and the high biotic potential of the insect. In some countries pest shows resistance to some insecticides -organophosphates, pyrethroids, abamectin, cartap, permethrin, and spinosad. Because of this, local evaluation of insecticidal efficacy is very important and should be considered the first step in any local management program.
Following its introduction into Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, T. absoluta has already caused extensive economic damage. The impact of pests includes severe yield loss reaching 100%, increasing tomato prices, bans on the trade of tomatoes including seedlings, an increase in synthetic insecticide applications, and an increase in the cost of crop protection. In addition, the outbreak of this pest led to a significant augmentation of risks for growers, consumers, and the environment associated with the blind use of chemicals.
For complete and proper management of your farm production for Tuta absoluta and other pests control on various crops, you can use the AGRIVI farm management system. For pest control per crops, such as Tuta abslouta in tomato, the system gives you a list of all active substances (chemical and organic) with which you can treat that pest with the allowed dosage.
You can also track weather conditions per field, thus preventing pest and disease occurrence. The system allows you to track a whole production from one place and all resources like fertilizers, pesticides, fuel, mechanization, people, and inventory.
What Is the Best Insecticide for Tuta Absoluta?
The best insecticide for Tuta absoluta is Cygon 30WP. Tuta absoluta, also known as the tomato leafminer or tobacco thrips, is a type of fly that feeds on the leaves of tomato plants. The flies lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves and when they hatch, the larvae feed on the leaves and cause them to curl. The plant becomes stunted and may die if left untreated.
This pest can be controlled by using a systemic insecticide like Cygon 30WP, which is applied to the soil at planting time. This product works by entering the roots of plants and killing any pests that may be feeding on them. It does not kill adult pests but does prevent them from laying eggs that hatch into larvae. Tuta absoluta is becoming more common in many parts of the world due to industrialization and increased trade among countries which results in bringing new pests with them.
How Do You Control Tuta?
To control Tuta absoluta, you should first identify the leaf miner. To do this, use insect traps baited with pheromones. The baits will capture the pests and reduce their numbers. Place the traps in the crop field strategically to capture the male insects.
The next step is to use insecticide sprays. These are effective against both adult moths and eggs. You can also use biological control agents such as parasitic wasps that attack young leaf miners. In addition to these methods, you should consider using fumigation techniques if necessary. Fumigation is a process of treating plants with gas or smoke to kill insects and other microorganisms that cause disease or damage crops; it uses materials such as sulfur dioxide or methyl bromide gases (Methyl Bromide).
List Of Insecticide For Tuta Absoluta
Tuta absoluta is a pest that attacks citrus trees. It can infect the tree’s flowers, leaves, and twigs, as well as its fruit. If you notice that your citrus tree has been attacked by Tuta absoluta, you’ll need to act fast to save it. Here are some of the best insecticides for tuta absoluta:
FMC Talstar Pro 3/4 Gal-Multi Use Insecticide
Price: $58.81
Features :
Additional Info :
Plant Sciences Reviews 2012 (CAB Reviews)
Price: $151.70
Features :
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| Release Date | 2013-03-12T00:00:00.000Z |
Instant Insights: Pesticide residues in agriculture (Burleigh Dodds Science: Instant Insights)
Price: $49.99
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| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 9 Inches |
| Width | 0.25 Inches |
| Length | 6 Inches |
| Weight | 0.33951188348 Pounds |
| Release Date | 2021-04-06T00:00:01Z |
In Conclusion,
The best way to control Tuta absoluta is to start before the moth arrives. The key is to use cultural methods, such as pruning, mowing, and removing leaf litter from around trees. After you have done these steps, you can use insecticides if necessary. Although insecticides will kill the moths, they will not prevent them from laying eggs on your trees. Therefore, it is important to protect your trees with an insecticide before the eggs hatch into larvae.