Tomato growers in Crete are on the alert over the re-apperance of Tuta Absoluta a tomato pest that can totally destroy tomato production in open fields or greenhouses.
The first outbreak was recorded in the Messara plain where a large proportion of the land is used for tomato production. Already in some farms the pest has destroyed 50% of production.
The cost of controlling Tuta Absoluta comes to over 700 euro per strema of cultivation.
Farmers who are already paying more for their supplies and fuel are worried that this latest threat will put many of them out of business.
Tuta absoluta is a devastating pest of Tomato. It is originated from South America. Since 2006 Tuta absoluta considered to be a serious threat to tomato production in Mediterranean region. It made its first appearance in Crete in 2008
The newly introduced pest from south America finding the shores of the Mediterranean a perfect new home where it can breed between 10-12 generations a year. Each female can lay 250-300 eggs in her life time. This pest is crossing boarders and devastating tomato production both protected and open fields. The infestation of Tuta absoluta also reported on potato, Aubergine and common beans.
Tuta absoluta is a very challenging pest to control. Effectiveness of chemical control is limited due to insect’s nature of damage as well as its rapid capability of development of insecticide resistant strains. The use of biological factors are still largely under development and not ready to combat this pest effectively and in a cost effective way. Sex pheromone trap is used as an early detection tool. Mass trapping and lure and Kill application of pheromone has been found to be effective to control Tuta absoluta. IPM strategies are being developed to control Tuta absoluta. Various active substances can be applied in combination with bio-rational control tactics.
www.tutaabsoluta.com information network
