Academic Journal of Entomology 6 (3): 110-115, 2013 ISSN 1995-8994 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aje.2013.6.3.75130 Corresponding Author: Saad Moussa, Insect Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Unit, Plant Protection Research Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. 110 The Status of Tomato Leafminer; Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Egypt and Potential Effective Pesticides Saad Moussa, Anil Sharma, Fatina Baiomy and Fathi Eid El-Adl 1 2 1 1 Insect Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Unit, 1 Plant Protection Research Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egypt Insect Resistance Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 2 (ICGEB), New Delhi, India Abstract: A survey of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), infestation on tomato plants was carried out in twelve governorates across Egypt during flowering stage of summer plantation of 2010 and 2011 seasons. The pest causes severe damage to the foliage and fruit. The survey shows that the degree of infestation was 21%, 48% and 28% in Behara, Dommiette and Aswan governorates, respectively. The corresponding values in 2011 were 50% in Benisweef governorate to 100% in El-Gharbia, El-Monifia, El-Dakahleia, Domitt, El-Qalubia, El-Sharkia and El-Isamlia governorates. Also, the number of larvae per 10 plants in 2010 season ranged from 5 to 125 larvae in Banisweef and El-Monifia governorates. Whereas in 2011 season, the corresponding values in Banisweef and El-Monifia governorates ranged from 3 to 380 larvae. The pest was also found to infest newly cultivated area like Tushka at Aswan governorate during the harvesting period of winter planting in 2010 season. Analysis of chemical and biopesticide control methods shows that chemical pesticides such as Chlorantraniliprole 20% SC, Chlorfenapyr 36% SC, Indoxcarb 15%EC, Chlofenapyr 36% SC mixed with Indicarb 15%EC, Spinosad 24%SC, Spinosad 24% SC mixed with Abamectin 1.8%, Emamectin benzoate 50% SG and Imidacloprid 20% SC provide excellent control against T. absoluta, while a biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis provides moderate control. These pesticides offer tomato growers the tools to control the pest and judicious use of these pesticides will prolong the efficacy and reduce resistance development in the pest. Key words: Tomato Plants Tuta absoluta Pest Leafminer Chemical Pesticides Biopesticides INTRODUCTION This pest was first discovered in South America The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) borders and devastate the crops either in open field or in (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the most destructive insect protected greenhouse. Later on, infestation by this pest pest attacking tomato plant, Lycopersicon esculentum [1]. was reported in the western part of Spain at the end of In early infestation, newly emerged neonates (First instar) 2006 [10]. Since then, it has spread very rapidly in various penetrate the leaf into the mesophyll layer and feed parts of the world. It has been reported for the first time between the lower and upper surfaces of the leaf to form in France, Malta, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal and Italy small and transparent mines. As a result of continuous [11-14] and causes outbreak in United Kingdom as well feeding by the larvae, the irregular mines combine [15]. In early 2009, various reports confirmed the together and eventually form galleries [2- 3]. Except for reachability of this pest to the Mediterranean basin viz, the roots, the larvae attack all other parts of the tomato Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, that causes plant viz, leaves, flowers, stems and both green and red enormous damage to tomato crop [9, 11-13, 16, 17]. fruits [4-7]. T. absoluta infestation may cause 50-100% Egypt lies in the subtropical region and faces the losses in the tomato crop [8]. Mediterranean Sea from the north and the Red Sea from attacking tomato crop [6- 9]. It has the capability to cross