Tuta absoluta, a dangerous leaf mining moth in tomato crops
Tuta absoluta is a very harmful leaf mining moth (also known as tomato leafminer) with a strong preference for tomatoes. It also occurs on eggplants, sweet peppers as well as potatoes and various other cultivated plants. It also occurs on weeds of Solanaceae family (Solanum nigrum, Datura spp.). Tuta absoluta can cause 50-100% yield reduction on tomato crops and its presence may also limit the export of the product to several destinations. Prevention and proper management of the pest are crucial. Chemical control often fails due to the resistance of Tuta absoluta against many pesticides, but also because a big part of its development takes place inside the plant or the soil, out of reach of pesticides.
Preventive measures against Tuta absoluta
1. Make sure the greenhouse and its direct environment are free from old plants, fruit and weeds to prevent carry-over of the pest from the previous culture to the new crop.
2. Prevent adults (7-10 mm) from entering the greenhouse by closing all ventilation openings with insect netting. Netting used against aphids (6-9 holes/cm2) is fine enough to withstand Tuta absoluta. Repair all holes in the plastic walls and roof material. Create a double door at the entrance of the greenhouse.
3. Start with plants free from any stage of Tuta absoluta. Monitor with Pherodis pheromone traps in the propagation area.
Non-chemical measures against the different stages of Tuta absoluta
1. The predatory bugs Nesidiocoris tenuis (Nesibug) and Macrolophus caliginosus (Mirical) are effective predators of Tuta absoluta eggs and young larvae. A quick establishment of these predatory bugs in the crop gives the best protection against the pest. Introduce the predatory bugs several times during the first weeks of cultivation in a total dose of 1-2 bugs per m² or until the bugs are sufficiently established in the crop.
a. Avoid broad spectrum pesticides in open field tomatoes in order not to disturb the development of indigenous population of predatory bugs.
b. Delayed deleafing helps to boost the development of both Nesidiocoris and Macrolophus in the crop.
Only use products that are permitted in your country or state!
2. Pherodis pheromones used in Tutasan water traps catch many male adults, up to 300 per trap per day. This measure will slow down the reproduction of the population. Use 20-50 traps per hectare inside the greenhouse, depending on the situation. Renew the Pherodis pheromone capsules every 6 weeks. Also place some traps in the direct surrounding of the greenhouse.
3. If the pest occurs in hot spots, remove infested leaves (and fruit) with larvae and destroy.
4. Caterpillars move out of the mines several times in their development. Preventive and regular sprays with Bacillus thuringiensis can kill the caterpillars in this phase, thus contributing to the control. However, note that intensive B. thuringiensis sprays can leave residue on the fruit, so apply this only in the early phase of the crop.
Chemical corrections
The above mentioned measures may be insufficient for total control of the pest. In that case chemical interventions are needed to keep the pest below the economic threshold. High volume sprays with pesticides based on spinosad or indoxacarb have shown the best effect, but still may have some impact on biological pest control or natural pollination. Always use these products at recommended dose, respecting the local rules. Restrict the number of applications per season to avoid resistance. Consult your consultant to evaluate the effect of the chemical interventions and their effects on the population of the natural enemies.
Note that for this pest a certain damage has to be accepted as well for the above mentioned chemical and non-chemical measures. For additional information consult your local Koppert representative.
You can find more information in our brochure. Click on the pdf icon to open.
- Files:
-
Brochure_Tuta_absoluta
439 K
More Koppert news
Koppert publishes a digital newsletter especially for firms in the world of practice: the Biojournal online. This newsletter provides users with a great deal of information on matters such as new and existing products, pests and...
Swirski-Mite LD has been specially developed to be used preventatively and was launched to the market at the end of 2011. The bags contain a breeding system that utilizes two different prey mites for the first time. The result is...
The new consumer website www.secretagentsinhorticulture.com created by Koppert Biological Systems offers unique and easily accessible information about biological crop protection and natural pollination.
The Floriade opened in Venlo on a site covering 66 hectares. At this 'theatre of nature,' Koppert Biological Systems will be revealing the great secret of horticulture. The story of biological crop protection and natural...
Recently, the regular packaging for Capsanem (Steinerma carpocapae) was changed and no longer consists of a small bag containing 50 million larvae. The box now contains two small bags each containing 25 million larvae of the...
In a four-minute film, two growers talk about their experiences with the use of the predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus to combat whitefly and thrips. Koppert introduced this new predatory mite in the early part of this year.
Ten years on, the gates of the spectacular theatre of nature are due to open again! Floriade 2012 will take place from 5 April to 7 October in a stunning park in Venlo, the Netherlands. Three different exhibitions will devote...
The palm moth and the red palm weevil are major pests affecting palm trees. When these pests are not controlled effectively the trees will soon wilt. Koppert offers an effective biological solution with the product Palmanem.
Minipol is a compact bumblebee hive specially developed for use in smaller cultivation areas. The Minipol ensures a good balance between the area to be pollinated and the supply of food. Koppert has developed Minipol specifically...
With its new formula, Koppert Biological Systems has produced an even more effective variant of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. The product is called Swirski-Mite LD (Long Duration). The product is now available.
From now on, Amblydromalus limonicus will be known by the product name Limonica. This name is the result of a promotional action which Koppert launched during the HortiWeek trade fair in November, in which customers and...
Early 2012 Koppert will be participating in several international fairs: IPM Essen, Fruit Logistica and BioFach, where we will present our recent innovations for sustainable crop protection.
The printed version of the Biojournal is now also available to read online.
With the presentation of a cheque worth 1000 euros, Koppert Biological Systems concluded the trade fair campaign for the Heart for the Nations Foundation.
With a new formula and new packaging, the soil-dwelling predatory mite Macrocheles robustulus (Macro-Mite) is now even more effective. Now Koppert Biological Systems can guarantee even better integrated control of soil...
Last week Koppert introduced the new predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus at both the Horti Fair and the IFTF. The predatory mite will be available from 2 January 2012, but as yet no product name has been chosen. Visitors to...
Koppert Biological Systems is raising the biological control of thrips and whitefly to a higher level with the new predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus. The company has devoted over ten years to research in the development of...
With its new formula, Koppert Biological Systems has produced an even more effective variant of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. The product is called Swirski-Mite LD (Long Duration). After the initial introduction, this...
Koppert Biological Systems has reached an agreement with Bayer CropScience AG to take over the exclusive worldwide rights on the marketing, registration and production of the new product Shemer, a biological fungicidal product...
During the Horti Week in the Netherlands Koppert will be present with a stand at the Horti Fair and IFTF. This year there will be numerous reasons to visit us.
Horti Fair stand 0113 in hall 8
IFTF stand B5.07
Koppert and Horti Week: more than just one stand
During the International Horti Week, Koppert will have stands at both the Horti Fair (08.0113) and the IFTF (B5.07).
Admission tickets are free of charge. If you register to...
Koppert Biological Systems is launching the compact bumblebee hive Minipol this month. The hive is the “little brother” of Natupol and Tripol, and contains a bumblebee colony that offers a better balance with the amount of food...
Natural enemies are the first choice in the biological control of aphids. Now that more and more beneficials are becoming commercially available, it’s not always easy to make the right choice. It’s important to find the right...
Visitors to the Horti Fair who register via the special registration link on the Koppert website will be helping contribute to the implementation of a water project in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. Through this campaign, Koppert...
Syrphidend contains Episyrphys balteatus (marmalade hoverfly) pupae. This hoverfly combats various species of aphids in all stages of the life cycle. If there is a great deal of hyperparasitisation of parasitic wasps, this...
Koppert USA celebrates grand opening Friday, August 26, 2011
Koppert USA celebrated the grand opening of its new facility for production in Howell, Michigan. Koppert USA began its move into the production facility in early...
Since February 2011, Koppert has been supplying the market with the little predatory beetle Delphastus catalinae under the brand name Delphibug. This beetle is proving to be a godsend in situations in which predatory mites and...
Spical-Plus contains the predatory mite Amblyseius californicus. The predatory mites are supplied in slow-release bags allowing predatory mites to crawl out of the bags gradually over a period of approx. 6 weeks. This makes...
The new predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus eats more and reproduces faster than other generalist predatory mites. Koppert will be bringing this mite onto the market at the end of this year. That is particularly good news for...
Natural progression
Koppert
Providing state of the art biological control and natural pollination for professional growers around the world.
Afbeelding 1 - Swirskii
Afbeelding 2 - Trianum
