1Department of Entomology, COA, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad- 500 030, Telangana, India
Vegetable Research Station, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500 030, Telangana, India
*Corresponding author's present address: AICRP on Biological Control of Crop Pests, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500 030, Telangana, India; E-mail: gorthianitha@gmail.com
Online published on 17 February, 2022.
Tuta absoluta, the pinworm on tomato has slowly become a menace to tomato growers in India. In India, it was first reported in 2014 on tomato followed by reports on potato at Bengaluru and later in Pune. The pest has an egg period of 4–10 days, larval period of 14–16 days, pupal period of 7–10 days and 7–15 days of adult period depending on the temperatures. In India it was reported to cause more damage on the stem, leaves and fruits of tomato during the rabi season than during kharif. Much work has been done on the molecular characterization of the pest. Management practices using resistant varieties and studies on biochemical and physical bases for resistance in plants have been discussed. Host induced plant volatiles and cues also can help in the IPM strategies for this pest which has developed resistance to some commonly used insecticides. An integrated approach alone can help achieve success in managing this devastating pest.
Invasive pest, Management, Pinworm, Tomato
