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Pest Guide

Symptoms, treatments and recommendations for treating tuta absoluta

Tuta absoluta

Pathogen:

Insect

Type:

Risk:

CRITICAL

Tuta absoluta

Plantas decorativas de jardín y/o interior

Damage caused by Tuta absoluta on decorative garden and/or indoor plants

WHO CAUSES IT?

Tuta ABSOLUTA, commonly known as tomato moth, is a small moth native to South America that has managed to spread globally, seriously affecting horticultural crops. Its body is elongated, with gray and mottled wings, and a wingspan that does not exceed 10 mm. Adult females deposit eggs singly or in groups on leaves, stems and fruits. Larvae emerge from these eggs and quickly enter the plant tissues, where they remain for most of their development. These larvae go through four stages before pupating, making galleries inside the plant. Pupation can occur inside the plant or in the soil, protected by a cocoon. In warm conditions, the cycle is completed in just over three weeks, allowing for multiple generations per year. This high reproductive rate, together with its ability to develop hidden within the plant tissue, makes its control difficult and favors its rapid expansion.

SYMPTOMS

In Plants, Tuta ABSOLUTA causes a devastating disease, especially in tomato crops, although it also affects other solanaceous plants. The larvae pierce leaves, stems and fruits, compromising the physiology of the plant and drastically reducing yield. Internal larval damage prevents early detection, allowing the pathogen to multiply before being noticed. The commercial loss is not only due to direct damage, but also to the decrease in fruit quality and greater vulnerability to secondary infections.
- Sinuous galleries in leaves and stems
- Premature leaf drop due to internal damage
- Visible perforations in fruits with dark excrements
- Localized necrosis in the affected areas
- Dead or deformed terminal shoots
- Presence of whitish larvae inside the fruit or on leaves
- Significant reduction in commercial production

Tuta absoluta in decorative garden and/or indoor plants: How to recognize and treat it effectively

TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

20 °C – 30 °C

30 % – 70 %

TRANSMISSION ROUTES

Infested plants, Contaminated plant material, Wind, Movement of people, Agricultural tools, Transport of products, Neighboring crops

Do you want to remove this pest? Choose how you want to treat it.

TREATMENTS

Chemical treatments

Treatments allowed in organic farming

Biological treatments

Recommendations

- Implement pheromone traps to monitor and reduce the adult population.
- Use anti-insect meshes in greenhouses to prevent the entry of adults.
- Carry out a thorough review of the plant material before introducing it to new plots or greenhouses.
- Eliminate crop remains and weeds that may serve as a refuge or source of reinfestation.
- Apply biological treatments with parasitoids or natural predators such as Trichogramma or Nesidiocoris.
- Promote biodiversity in crops to increase the presence of natural enemies.
- Use plant extracts with repellent or insecticidal action, such as neem, alternately.
- Rotate active ingredients in chemical treatments to avoid the selection of resistant individuals.
- Carry out localized treatments in infestation sources, avoiding general sprays.
- Control the temperature and humidity in the greenhouses to hinder the rapid proliferation of the pest.