Efficiency of capture of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) with mosquito killer light traps

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a cosmopolitan pest that affects leaves and fruits, causing damage to crops. Various control techniques are used to eliminate adults and larvae; however, none of themis completely effective. Thus, this study tested the use of a light trap with an ultraviolet lamp and an electrical device to control T. absoluta in a tomato greenhouse (‘Grazianni’) located in Paty do Alferes (Brazil) and recorded the best capture period. For this, three FIX model mosquito traps were placed inside the greenhouse (2.4 m high, 1.2 m apart) during one lunar cycle. The catch was evaluated in the following time periods: from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, from 10:30 pm to 02:00 am, and from 02:00 to 05:30 am. A total of 6,886 specimens were collected. The time interval from 7:00-10:30 pm resulted in the highest abundance captured (54.3%), similar to previous data on the flight period of T. absoluta. These results contribute to the Integrated Pest Management of the tomato crop, an alternative to the exclusive use of chemical control methods which fail to efficiently control the tomato moth.