Biocontrol Science and Technology (2019) 29, 578-609
Chiara Ferracini, Vanda H.P. Bueno, Maria Luisa Dindo, Barbara L. Ingegno, María G. Luna, Nadia G. Salas Gervassio, Norma E. Sánchez, Gaetano Siscaro, Joop C. van Lenteren, Lucia Zappalà and Luciana Tavella (2019)
Natural enemies of Tuta absoluta in the Mediterranean basin, Europe and South America
Biocontrol Science and Technology 29 (6), 578-609
Abstract: The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) represents a global threat to commercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production, both in open field and greenhouse. Native to South America, it spread over the Mediterranean Basin, Europe, Africa and part of Asia in only 12 years, and currently it is reported in over 80 countries. Biological control is one of the options for its control and a large number of natural enemies has been reported in association with the pest, both in the areas of origin and of introduction. The egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum, in South America, and the mirid predators Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis, in Europe and the Mediterranean basin, are used as commercial biocontrol agents. Even if several natural enemies might be promising candidates for biocontrol, their potential role in quantitative pest reduction has been seldom established under practical tomato production conditions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): María Gabriela Luna, Joop C. van Lenteren, Lucia Zappala, Luciana Tavella
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phthorimaea absoluta | ||||
| Trichogramma pretiosum (parasitoid) | Phthorimaea absoluta | |||
| Macrolophus pygmaeus (predator) | Phthorimaea absoluta | |||
| Nesidiocoris tenuis (predator) | Phthorimaea absoluta |
