Control and Management of Tomato Leafminer -Tuta Absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidotera, Gelechiidae).A Review

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is becoming one of the key pests of tomato in Tanzania; which account for its production loss of up to 80 to 100% if left unchecked. The pest was first introduced in Tanzania in 2014.due to porous nature of our borders and lack of quarantine regulations implementation. Tomato producers in Tanzania have little understanding of leafminers, and hence lack best practices for it control. The pest have developed resistance to dozens of pesticides and therefore the (IPM) strategy that employs bio-chemical, biological, physical and cultural methods is the only best option we had at time. Since its introduction in 2014, there was no any sound action plan implemented. Thus, the aim of this review paper is to call for attentions and concerted actions of concerned sectors by describing the potential damage of the pest, its entry, pathways and its control methods. There is a need for all stakeholders to meet and discuss the possible ways of containing and controlling the current Tuta absoluta outbreak.