The future of Tuta absoluta control

As the tomato leaf miner feeds on a wide range of species, its natural enemies are likely to continue increasing, says Bill Kerr.

- Bill Kerr.

The tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta), which originates in South America, has spread to most tomato-producing countries, increasing from 3% to 60% global infection in just 10 years.

This pest causes havoc wherever it goes. In Nigeria, for example, it resulted in an 80% crop loss in 2016.

Some farmers, desperate to get T. absoluta under control, have caused additional harm. By spraying harsh chemicals, they have eradicated a host of predators, including the natural enemies of whitefly, another tomato pest. This has resulted in whitefly outbreaks and curly stunt virus, of which whitefly is a vector.

HOME-GROWN SUCCESS

I recently had a visit by an entomologist from the Agricultural Research Council who is working on the tomato leaf miner and fall armyworm. He collected a number of parasitoids and predators from my tunnels, including