Tomato leafminer moth

In recent years, a major pest of tomatoes has been the tomato leaf miner moth (Tuta absoluta). Damage to the fruits is observed even at relatively low infestation levels. The moth attacks the plants throughout the entire vegetation period – from seedlings to harvest, as it develops many generations per year – 9–10 in heated greenhouses and 4–5 in the field, which overlap.

The adult moths are active at night and during the day they hide among the leaves. The damage is caused by the larvae. They prefer mainly the leaves and stems of the plants, but they also attack the fruits. Signs of the presence of the moth in the greenhouse are short and wide mines on the leaves, in which larvae and excrements in the form of piles, usually located at one end, can be seen.

Strategy for pest control

The tomato leaf miner moth is an extremely aggressive pest, which spread rapidly and in 2011 was detected in 21 districts of the country. The preparation of the National Programme of Measures for Control of the Tomato Leaf Miner Moth Tuta absoluta is necessary in order to limit the losses and the spread of the pest in the country by defining a package of measures for monitoring and control. This programme is intended for specialists – agronomists and farmers – in their activities for plant protection against the pest.

Placement of pheromone traps for early detection of the pest and undertaking timely control measures. At low population density, one of the biological agents Macrolophus pygmaeus or Nesidiocoris tenuis may be introduced.

Authorised plant protection products

Avant 150 EC - 25 ml/da, Alverde SC - 0.1%, Altacor WG - 8–12 g/da, Ampligo 150 ZC - 40 ml/da, Affirm 095 SG - 150 g/da, Voliam Targo 063 SC - 0.08%, Decis 2.5 EC - 0.05%, Decis 2.5 EC New - 0.05%, Confidor Energy OD - 0.08%, Coragen 20 SC - 14–20 ml/da, Lannate 20 SL - 125 ml/da, Lannate 25 WP - 100 g/da, Mospilan 20 SP - 0.02%, Neem Azal T/S - 0.3%, Picador 20 SL - 0.05%, Rapax - 100–200 ml/da, Sineis 480 SC - 10–25 ml/da (20–25 ml/100 l water), Uarrant 20 SL - 50 ml and Hipo SP - 0.02%