Study of the Population Dynamics of the Leafminer, Tuta Absoluta, Pests of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) in the Municipality of Ouallam in Niger

Abstract

In Niger, since 2012 a new pest Tuta absoluta has appeared on tomato. Tuta absoluta is subservient not only to tomato but also to other solanaceae (potatoes, peppers etc.). All these crops can be attacked by this pest and production losses can reach 100% of the harvest, if none protective measure is taken. The objective assigned to this study is to improve tomato production in Niger through the integrated management of the tomato miner Tuta absoluta. To do this, the study focused on monitoring the dynamics of the Tuta absoluta population during the wintering period using pheromone traps and also an interview guide addressed to producers. The results showed the effective presence of the tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) on the two sites monitored throughout the rainy season. The results showed that more than half of the tomato plots were attacked by Tuta absoluta and showed attack symptoms. However, the attacked plants regenerated with new organs (leaves and stems) hence the extension of tomato cultivation in Tolkoboye with the use of pheromone traps. The study of the population dynamics of Tuta absoluta shows that the average captures per week oscillate between 53.6 and 1.72 individuals during the capture period on the observation sites while the peak on the control site oscillates between 70.8 and 52 individuals. It therefore emerges from the observations that the catches of butterflies this year are lower than those of last year.