Academic Journal of Entomology 5 (1): 37-40, 2012 ISSN 1995-8994 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aje.2012.5.1.6315 Corresponding Author: A. Gacemi, Department of Agronomy, University of Abdelhamid Ibn Badis, Mostaganem, Algeria. Tel: +213776202022. 37 Efficacy of Emamectin Benzoate on Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Infesting a Protected Tomato Crop in Algeria Abdelhamid Gacemi and Yamina Guenaoui Department of Agronomy, University of Abdelhamid Ibn Badis, Mostaganem, Algeria Abstract: Tuta absoluta Meyrick became the most important pest of tomato crops in Algeria since 2008. Increasing problems in control of Tuta absoluta necessitate development of an integrated control program through a combination of preventive methods, biological control and chemical control if needed in order to keep the population density as low as possible. In the vicinity of Mostaganem, the density of T. absoluta population’s increase dramatically with 50 to 100% damage to fruit production. When biological control is not efficient, chemical control can be used with selective pesticides in an integrated strategy. This study is conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of Emamectin-benzoate against larvae of the tomato leaf miner. A field trial was conducted in tomato greenhouse during 2009- 2010. Three foliar applications were made at 7 days interval in a tomato greenhouse. The results showed a good activity on Tuta absoluta larvae with a mortality reaching 87%; but it is important to use it with a great attention when native natural enemies are working. Key words: Tomato Tuta absoluta Emamectin-Benzoate Efficacy Integrated Control INTRODUCTION chemical control is the most useful method in combination Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) belonging to management (cultural tactics, mass trapping with sex Solanaceae and its origin is the Andean zone particularly pheromones, biological control….). Peru-Ecuador-Bolivian areas [1] but cultivated tomato In Algeria, some bio-pesticides began to be used originated in Mexico [2]. against this pest. The insecticide ’Emamectin benzoate’ is It is one of the attain a high and stable growth under a new macrocyclic lactone insecticide derived from the deficient moisture most popular and versatile vegetable all avermectin family of natural products. These products over the world. It conditions [3]. Present investigation have been developed for the control of Lepidoptera pests was undertaken to plays a vital role in providing a on a variety of vegetable crops worldwide [13], with a substantial quantity of study some of the morphological particular efficacy against T. absoluta. The compound is parameters, like root and vitamin C and A in human diet not systemic, but it exhibits good translaminar activity [4-5]. [14]. Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) The present study was carried out to test the efficacy is a native microlepidopteron of South America [6-7], of Emamectin benzoate against the larval stages of which can affect all aerial parts of the plant (leaves, T. absoluta in a greenhouse tomato crop. flowers, stems and fruit). This pest has the potential to cause damage which can be up to 100% losses [8-9]. MATERIALS AND METHODS This South American tomato leafminer, T. absoluta, is one of the major pests of tomato crop since its Plant Cultivars: The variety of tomato planted is Tafna (it detection in the Mediterranean basin [10]. T. absoluta was is the most used cultivar in the vicinity of Mostaganem reported for the first time in Algeria in 2008 [10-12]. (Algeria). The tomato crop was conducted in an unheated It causes extensive damage on tomato in the north where was installed an insect-proof and a sex-pheromonal western of Algeria. When population explosion occurs trap (Delta) during spring season. with other tactics and strategies of tomato integrated pest