Tuta absoluta dissemination – A Journey to Europe and Mediterranean Basin

Tuta absoluta is a serious pest Tomato, Potato and other Solanaceous crops. It poses extremely significant threat to green house and open field tomato.

Tuta absoluta is a pest of tomato in many South American countries. Recently Tuta absoluta was detected in several locations throughout Europe the Mediterranean Basin, causing very serious damage to tomato crops. In Spain, the presence of Tuta absoluta was reported for the first time at the end of 2006 on tomato crops in the province of Castellón (Comunidad Valenciana). In 2007, Tuta absoluta was detected in several places along the Mediterranean coast in the province of Valencia where it caused severe damage. test

Tuta absoluta in Algeria was reported by European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) reporting service in 2008.  The NPPO of Algeria recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Geliichidae – EPPO A1 List) on its territory. In Algeria, Tuta absoluta was found on protected tomato crops in coastal areas (west, centre and part of the eastern coast). The first outbreaks were observed in tomato glasshouses in the commune of Mazagran (near Mostaganem) and rapidly expanded to nearby communes. Foliar damage was reported in March and fruit damage appeared in May. Other outbreaks have also been reported in the commune of Hassi Bounif (near Oran). At present, damage has only been recorded on glasshouse tomatoes but it is feared that the pest will spread to outdoor tomato crops and eventually to other vegetable crops such as aubergine (Solanum melongena) and capsicum (Capsicum annuum). In 2009, unofficial sources reported the presence of Tuta absoluta in neighbouring county Tunisia.

Presence of Tuta absoluta also reported in another Mediterranean county, Morocco. According to local news paper it is estimated in Morocco the area threatens the field of 526 hectares (275 Ha Nador, Berkane 216 Taourirt 35 Ha, in addition to 65 ha greenhouse. This represents a danger for the undermining of both protected and open filed tomato cultivation.

Very recently this devastating pest presence also reported in France in January, 2009.The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A1 List) on tomato crops (Lycopersicon esculentum) in two regions: Corse (near Ajaccio and Propriano) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Var and Bouches-du-Rhône). Tuta absoluta was identified in October 2008 in Corse and in November/December 2008 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. In 2009 according to unofficial source, the presence of Tuta absoluta also reported in tomato growing area of south Italy and Sicily.

Tuta absoluta is extremely worrying and wormed that it could rapidly spread to neighbouring European and Mediterranean countries as salad tomatoes are marketing and distributing across the Europe from infested countries. This insect could develop very quickly in suitable agro-ecological conditions. Moreover, it is extremely difficult to control once they are well established.

In a surveillance program Netherlands Plant Protection Service recorded 3 specimen of Tuta absoluta in the Netherlands as a result of a pheromone trap survey in a tomato packaging and sorting facility specialised in packaging vine tomatoes. At the time of capture most fruit tomatoes at the packing station originated in Spain. The findings were detected on 22 January 2009 following an occurrence survey targeted at trading facilities that are specialised in packaging tomatoes. Though presently this Tuta absoluta is absent in Netherlands but based on a preliminary pest risk analysis conducted by Netherlands Plant Protection Service and it can be a serious pest in greenhouses with continuous tomato production as well.

In USA, The Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a Federal Order action that determined that the introduction and establishment of Tuta absoluta poses a serious plant pest threat to U.S. agriculture, including certain fruits or vegetables grown in the United States. This Federal Order becomes effective on March 10, 2009. Pursuant to this order, APHIS will require that shipments of field-grown green tomatoes from Algeria, France, Morocco, and Spain meet additional import requirements to prevent the introduction and establishment of Tutu absoluta.

Therefore, we all need to aware about the out break of Tuta absoluta. It will be highly appreciated if anyone let us know about new infestation of this insect in your area. Then Agripest could share this information with individuals who are associated with the devastating pest, Tuta absoluta.