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Tomato production in geothermal greenhouses in Tunisia showed remarkable growth during the last decade and has been considered an important economic sector within the Tunisian agriculture. However, since 2010, this sector is constrained by the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta, which is considered one of the most destructive pests of tomato crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the mating disruption with TUTATEC® in tomato crops in heated greenhouses. The efficacy of TUTATEC® at the theoretical doses of 55.5 and 111 g active ingredient of sex pheromone per hectare (300 and 600 dispensers/ha) to control T. absoluta was compared with mechanical control (manual deleafing) and conventional insecticides (Azadirachtin, 10 g/L and Cyantraniliprole, 100 g/L). The number of trapped males in water traps as well as the percentages of infested leaves and fruits were monitored weekly and compared with manual deleafing and insecticide-treated greenhouses. In greenhouses disrupted with 300 and 600 dispensers/ha, a reduction of 47.79 and 63.01% in male trap captures was observed, respectively, compared with mechanical control. The leaf damage was significantly lower in greenhouses disrupted with 600 dispensers/ha and insecticide treated greenhouses, with a reduction of infestation 29.53% and 32.02%, respectively. No significant differences were found in fruit damage between greenhouses disrupted with 300 and 600 dispensers/ha and the mechanical control. These results suggest that mating disruption is effective in the management of T. absoluta, and could be used in the framework of Integrated Pest Management strategies to control this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a pinworm native to South America, has invaded Tunisia, as well as the whole African continent, since 2008 inducing severe crop damages and substantial economic losses in all tomato-producing areas. During the last decade, several research studies and management efforts have been performed in an attempt to find out the most effective and sustainable pest control options against this devastating pest. Herein we explore, comprehensively summarize and discuss the most up-to-date state of scientific knowledge regarding bio-ecological aspects of the pest, its indigenous natural enemies and all categories of management strategies adopted so far against this economic pest in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a serious threat to tomato and can occur on other solanaceous crops worldwide. Here we evaluated the development time, fecundity and longevity of T. absoluta on three different host plant cultivars grown in Tunisia: tomato (cv. "Sankara"), potato (cv. "Spunta") and eggplant (cv. "A336"), under controlled laboratory conditions. Results showed a higher capacity of T. absoluta to develop on tomato with a shorter development time (about 31 days) and a higher fecundity (20.47 eggs per female) and longevity (14 days) compared to developing on either potato or eggplant. The development time (egg to adult) of T. absoluta on tomato plant was longer at both lower temperature (21 °C), as compared to the higher 28 °C, and higher relative humidity (either 52 or 72%), as compared to the lower 32% relative humidity. Fecundity of T. absoluta females on tomato plant was highest at 28 °C and 52% relative humidity, as compared to that obtained at 21 °C. The present study provides evidence that host plant, temperature and relative humidity are factors that greatly influence key biological parameters of T. absoluta. The obtained results would be useful for developing and implementing suitable control strategies for this major economic pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a key insect pest of tomato crop causing major economic losses worldwide. Biological control using Trichogramma parasitoids is considered a promising, eco-friendly management tactic of this pest. We performed inundative releases of Trichogramma cacoeciae (Marchal) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) against T. absoluta in Takelsa (northeastern Tunisia). Three weekly releases of either (i) 10, 20 or 30 Trichogramma per plant in protected (greenhouse) tomato crops or (ii) 20 or 40 Trichogramma per plant in open field tomatoes were evaluated for their effectiveness. Results indicated that 20 Trichogramma per plant was the most effective release rate in significantly decreasing the pest's life stage densities. Parasitism rates were significantly higher on apical tomato leaves (estimated at 58.6% for the rate 20 Trichogramma per plant in greenhouses and at about 56% for the rate 40 Trichogramma per plant in open field) compared to those observed on middle leaves (24.6% and 45.26% for rate 2 respectively under greenhouse and open field conditions). Furthermore, the overall number of T. absolua eggs and larvae was significantly reduced after releases of Trichogramma parasitoids. These results clearly indicate that T. cacoeciae could be a promising biocontrol agent of T. absoluta in the largest tomato-producing area in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a devastating invasive pest of tomato crops in several areas around the world including Africa. Here, we comprehensively review and discuss the relevant scientific knowledge on its occurrence, biological and ecological aspects, fortuitous insect natural enemies, and potential advantages and constraints of pest management scenarios adopted against this pest in tomato crops in both Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa. We conclude the manuscript with a comprehensive research agenda providing future priorities towards sustainable control of this important tomato pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]