ASPECTS REGARDING THE APPEARANCE AND EVOLUTION OF THE PEST TUTA ABSOLUTA (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE) IN TOMATO CROPS IN GREENHOUSES

Abstract

The most important vegetable crop in the world in greenhouses is tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with an yield of 182 MT per year. Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) commonly known as ”tomato leafminer” or ”South American tomato moth” is the main pest in tomato crops in greenhouses, that can cause economic losses of up to 80-100%, if appropriate control measures are not taken. The experience was carried out during 2 years (2020-2021), between July and September, in greenhouse conditions (second cycle) in Vărăști village (Giurgiu county). The pest population was dynamically monitored by placing pheromone traps in the tomato crops in the high plastic tunnels, the average of the captured adults being 3367.5. In both years, the climatic conditions were favorable for the appearance and evolution of the pest attack. To prevent the spread of the attack, chemical treatments were applied at intervals of 7-10 days. In 2021, the yield obtained was with 4.76% higher than in 2020.