The entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana has epiphytic and endophytic activity against the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta

The recent introduction and rapid spread of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East poses a severe threat to future cultivation of tomato and other Solanaceae. Among the best practicable means for effective and sustainable control of this invasive insect pest are entomopathogenic fungi, which can either prevent a further spread of this insect to new areas or keep population densities below an economic threshold level. Here, we report on the efficacy of a commercially available mycoinsecticide based on the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) against all four larval stages of T. absoluta. In bioassays, high mortality rates and significantly reduced longevity of larvae were obvious when larvae had fed for a period of around 15 days on leaves with B. bassiana propagules present on the surface as an epiphyte with mortality values corrected for variance in control mortality of 90–100%. In addition, a second mode of action of B. bassiana against T. absoluta larvae was evident in bioassays in the form of an endophytic establishment of this fungus in treated tomato plants. Longevity of T. absoluta L4 larvae was significantly lower in individuals which had fed on surface‐sterilized tomato leaves obtained from plants treated 18 days before the bioassay with a B. bassiana suspension compared to larvae feeding on control plants treated with water. Corrected mortality reached values between 30% and 50% for all larval instars. Growth of tomato plants was not inhibited due to colonization by endophytic B. bassiana and a weak systemic translocation of fungal propagules in non‐treated leaves was evident in the assays. Accordingly, entomopathogenic fungi like B. bassiana express different modes of action again target insect pests, which is of particular relevance for the design of efficient management strategies for invasive pests like T. absoluta.     

New records of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) predation by Brazilian Hemipteran predatory bugs

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta, native to western South America, is an extremely devastating pest in tomato crops in most of South America, Europe and Africa North of the Sahel, causes yield losses up to 100% and decreases fruit quality in open field and greenhouse crops if control methods are not applied. In Brazil two other important lepidopteran pests – Neoleucinodes elegantalis and Helicoverpa zea – occur in tomato, as well as thrips, whiteflies and aphids. For control of these pests, frequent applications of pesticides of up to 5 times per week are needed, and these resulted in the appearance of resistant populations to a number of active ingredients and decimation of natural enemies. Biological control may offer a better, safer and more sustainable opportunity for pest management. Mirid predatory bugs are currently used with success in southern Europe to control T. absoluta and other pests. In Brazil, four Hemipteran predatory bugs, not yet known to attack T. absoluta, were found to successfully prey on eggs and larvae of this pest. The first results on their predation capacity, development, survival and reproduction on T. absoluta on tomato plants are presented.     

Seasonal decline of the tomato leafminer,Tuta absoluta,in the shifting landscape of a vegetable‐growing area

Insect pest populations exhibit seasonal dynamics in response to changes in resource availability or other environmental factors such as climatic conditions, natural enemies, and intra‐ or interspecific competition. Understanding such dynamics is critical for developing effective integrated pest management strategies. The objective of the present study was to identify factors driving the seasonal decline of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in the shifting landscape of a vegetable‐growing area in Senegal. A set of 42 tomato fields was monitored for the number of T. absoluta adults caught in pheromone traps and for the incidence of larvae, during 5 months from June to November 2016 in the Niayes area (Senegal). The surface of solanaceous host crops, climatic conditions, and abundance of natural enemies were also monitored. A drastic decline in T. absoluta abundance was observed during the rainy season. The decrease in resource availability, especially tomato crops, in the surrounding landscape of monitored fields was the main factor affecting the population dynamics during the rainy season. However, alternative host crops such as eggplant and Ethiopian eggplant, can provide ‘reservoirs’ for residual populations of the pest. For applied purpose, it would be interesting to focus the management efforts on residual populations during the rainy season, to make more difficult the reconstitution of populations during the dry season.     

Potential of betabaculoviruses to control the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick 1917) (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) is a devastating pest, causing losses of up to 100%. An interesting tool for its control is the use of the insect specific viruses of Baculoviridae family. Despite its high potential, its use on T. absoluta larvae has been poorly studied. In this work, Colombian granuloviruses VG013 and VG003 isolated from T. absoluta and Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) larvae sampled in tomato and potato crops, respectively, were morphologically, biologically and molecularly characterized. Occlusion bodies showed ovoid shape containing one nucleocapsid. Restriction endonuclease analysis revealed a pattern similar to Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus and bioinformatics studies showed that both isolates are variants of that baculovirus specie. Similar mean lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) on T. absoluta larvae were estimated for both viruses, although VG013 exhibited shorter mean time to death than VG003. The latter reached a higher OBs yield in comparison with VG013. These results demonstrated an interesting potential of evaluated betabaculoviruses to control T. absoluta populations and pointed key features to its use under field conditions.     

Seasons of the year affect critical stage and key mortality factors for Neoleucinodes elegantalis in open field tomatoes

Neoleucinodes elegantalis is a serious pest for tomato producers that generates significant economic losses. Its occurrence depends on biotic factors involved in natural control. The influence of seasonal climate on N. elegantalis population density, taking into account mortality factors, has not been studied. The ecological life table is considered a comprehensive and reliable method to determine agroecosystem factors involved in insect pest population dynamics. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to identify the critical stages and key mortality factors for N. elegantalis during spring, summer, autumn and winter in open field tomato cultivation. The most important key mortality factor in the spring was the bird, Zonotrichia sp. In the summer, Trichogramma pretiosum and Solenopsis sp. had the most impact on mortality. During autumn, T. pretiosum and Zonotrichia sp. were deemed most important. During winter, the most important mortality factors were physiological disturbances, T. pretiosum, and predation by arthropods, including Solenopsis sp. The results of the study suggest that key mortality factors based on these findings may be useful during the decision‐making processes.     

Interrelated responses of tomato plants and the leaf miner Tuta absoluta to nitrogen supply

Plant–insect interactions are strongly modified by environmental factors. This study evaluates the influence of nitrogen fertilisation on the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Santa clara and the leafminer (Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Greenhouse‐grown tomato plants were fed hydroponically on a complete nutrient solution containing either a high nitrogen concentration (HN) sustaining maximum growth or a low nitrogen concentration (LN) limiting plant growth. Insect‐free plants were compared with plants attacked by T. absoluta. Seven and 14 days after artificial oviposition leading to efficacious hatching and larvae development, we measured total carbon, nitrogen and soluble protein as well as defence compounds (phenolics, glycoalkaloids, polyphenol oxidase activity) in the HN versus LN plants. Only in the HN treatment did T. absoluta infestation slightly impair leaf growth and induce polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in the foliage. Neither the concentration of phenolic compounds and proteins nor the distribution of nitrogen within the plant was affected by T. absoluta infestation. In contrast, LN nutrition impaired T. absoluta‐induced PPO activity. It decreased protein and total nitrogen concentration of plant organs and enhanced the accumulation of constitutive phenolics and tomatine. Moreover, LN nutrition impaired T. absoluta development by notably decreasing pupal weight and lengthening the development period from egg to adult. Adjusting the level of nitrogen nutrition may thus be a means of altering the life cycle of T. absoluta. This study provides a comprehensive dataset concerning interrelated responses of tomato plants and T. absoluta to nitrogen nutrition.     

Preference and Prey Switching in a Generalist Predator Attacking Local and Invasive Alien Pests

Invasive pest species may strongly affect biotic interactions in agro-ecosystems. The ability of generalist predators to prey on new invasive pests may result in drastic changes in the population dynamics of local pest species owing to predator-mediated indirect interactions among prey. On a short time scale, the nature and strength of such indirect interactions depend largely on preferences between prey and on predator behavior patterns. Under laboratory conditions we evaluated the prey preference of the generalist predator Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Heteroptera: Miridae) when it encounters simultaneously the local tomato pest Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and the invasive alien pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). We tested various ratios of local vs. alien prey numbers, measuring switching by the predator from one prey to the other, and assessing what conditions (e.g. prey species abundance and prey development stage) may favor such prey switching. The total predation activity of M. pygmaeus was affected by the presence of T. absoluta in the prey complex with an opposite effect when comparing adult and juvenile predators. The predator showed similar preference toward T. absoluta eggs and B. tabaci nymphs, but T. absoluta larvae were clearly less attacked. However, prey preference strongly depended on prey relative abundance with a disproportionately high predation on the most abundant prey and disproportionately low predation on the rarest prey. Together with the findings of a recent companion study (Bompard et al. 2013, Population Ecology), the insight obtained on M. pygmaeus prey switching may be useful for Integrated Pest Management in tomato crops, notably for optimal simultaneous management of B. tabaci and T. absoluta, which very frequently co-occur on tomato.     

Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes against the tomato leafminer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> in laboratory and greenhouse conditions

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important pest of tomato crops in South America and it has recently arrived in Europe affecting tomato plantations. The susceptibility of T. absoluta larvae and pupae to three species of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) was examined under laboratory conditions. Leaf bioassays were conducted to evaluate the nematode’s capability to reach the larvae and kill them within the galleries. The efficacy of the three nematode species after foliar application to potted tomato plants was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. High larval mortality (78.6–100%) and low pupae mortality (<10%) was determined in laboratory experiments. In the leaf bioassay a high level of larval parasitation (77.1–91.7%) was recorded revealing the nematode’s capacity to kill the larvae inside the galleries. In the pot experiments nematode treatment reduced insect infection of tomato plants by 87–95%. The results demonstrate the suitability of entomopathogenic nematodes for controlling T. absoluta.     

Impact of natural enemies on coffee leafminer Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) population dynamics in Chiapas, Mexico

Coffee leafminer, Leucoptera coffeella, is a pest in many New World coffee growing areas. Previous studies suggested that its population dynamics were strongly affected by natural enemies, particularly of larvae, and physical environmental conditions. Our study documented through field surveys and life table analyses (i) the natural enemy complex associated with coffee leafminer and (ii) the impacts of natural enemies on the population dynamics of coffee leafminer, on coffee (Coffea arabica) at two elevations and two rainfall levels in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. Twenty-two larval parasitoid species (including 14 morphospecies) were collected. Egg and pupal parasitoids were not recovered. Life table analyses showed that parasitism contributed 10% of real mortality, and parasitism rates were 8–10-fold higher at the low (<550 m) versus high (>950 m) elevation; parasitism rates were similar under low (<100 mm) and high (>400 mm) rainfall. Seventeen predator species (including five morphospecies) were collected, of which most were ants (Formicidae, 14 species) that contributed >58% of real mortality. Life table analyses showed that predation rates were higher at high versus low elevation and under high versus low rainfall. Independently of elevation and rainfall, egg predation (likely by ants) was the most important source of indispensable mortality (range = 0.13–0.30), except at low elevation and high rainfall where pupal predation (=0.14) was similarly important. Also, predation was the main source of coffee leafminer larval and pupal mortality during a 13-month period in a low elevation coffee farm and was highest during the rainy season (>400 mm rainfall/month), when coffee leafminer prevalence was highest. Overall, predation of eggs and pupae (the latter particularly at low elevation), mostly by ants, were the most important sources of coffee leafminer mortality. Because ants were the main source of coffee leafminer egg and pupal mortality, their importance and potential role in coffee pest management strategies were discussed.     

Population growth potential of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on tomato,potato, and eggplant

The influence of host plant on population dynamics of an invasive pest, Tuta absoluta was studied on three economically important solanaceous crops. Experiments were conducted in laboratory (29 ± 0.5°C, 75 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 hr [L:D]) using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Results indicated that intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive rate (R₀) were higher, and mean generation time (T) was the shortest on tomato. Results suggested that T. absoluta developed on all the three plants, and tomato plant was most preferred one. Results suggested that T. absoluta has a potential to become a serious pest on potato and even on eggplant under favourable conditions. We used the life tables of 0.025th and 0.975th percentiles of bootstraps to project the uncertainty of population growth, a new concept.     

Predation and reproduction of the generalist predator Nabis pseudoferus preying on Tuta absoluta

The damsel bug, Nabis pseudoferus Remane (Hemiptera: Namidae), is a generalist predator of small arthropods, including key insect pests of vegetable crops. In this study, we characterized the predation and development of various N. pseudoferus life stages when preying on the eggs and first- and fourth-instar nymphs of the invasive South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). These findings were compared to those of the bug’s common prey, cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Of the life stages tested, females showed the highest predation rate on all tested prey, due to their high longevity, large body, and great energy requirements for reproduction. The predator’s oviposition rate was clearly influenced by prey type, and was highest when feeding on fourth instars of T. absoluta. Considering the zoophytophagy of most of the life stages of other mirid species of tomato, and the lower propensity of N. pseudoferus to feed on plants, these results show that this species can be considered as a key indigenous natural enemy for sustainable pest control packages against T. absoluta in newly invaded areas.     

Functional response and egg distribution among hosts by Pseudapanteles dignus,a larval endoparasitoid of Tuta absoluta

The functional response of a biocontrol agent has been classically pointed out as a quantitative evaluation criterion to understand its killing capacity to an arthropod pest. In this paper, we revisited the functional response of the internal larval parasitoid Pseudapanteles dignus (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a candidate for biocontrol of the South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), measured as the daily egg oviposition of single parasitoid females at increasing densities of T. absoluta larvae through dissection of hosts. The functional response curve of the number of parasitized hosts was fitted out taking into account the number of eggs laid and their distribution among hosts at each T. absoluta larval density. The data also allowed us to discuss the self-superparasitism strategy of this parasitoid as an adaptive trait. Pseudapanteles dignus showed a sigmoid shape functional response and a contagious distribution of eggs among hosts, favouring self-superparasitism and laying a similar number of eggs in each superparasitized host at each T. absoluta density. This research is firstly intended to ascertain about the oviposition behaviour of P. dignus and additionally to provide information on its reproduction to be applied in mass rearing procedures and augmentative releases against T. absoluta.     

Comparative damage and digestive enzyme activity of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on 12 tomato cultivars

The damage caused by the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) to 12 tomato cultivars was investigated under greenhouse conditions. The 2 cultivars Korral and CH Falat experienced lower damage in terms of all parameters investigated, whereas the cultivars Valouro and Cal JN3 were categorized as the most susceptible host plants. The larvae feeding on CH Falat and Korral cultivars reached the lowest final weight (1.82 and 1.93 mg, respectively), whereas those reared on the Valouro and Cal JN3 cultivars reached the highest body weight (3.42 and 3.33 mg, respectively). The highest proteolytic and amylolytic activity was detected in larvae feeding on the Korral cultivar, whereas larvae reared on the Valouro cultivar had the lowest enzyme activity for both third and fourth instar larvae. Altogether, the Korral and CH Falat cultivars were classified as relatively resistant cultivars, whereas the 2 cultivars Valouro and Cal JN3 were categorized as highly susceptible to infection by T. absoluta. Therefore, the resistant cultivars can be considered as candidates for use in integrated management programs of the tomato leaf miner in Iran.     

Efficacy of some biorational insecticides against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in Kuwait

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is one of the most destructive pests of tomato worldwide. Management of the pest is mainly based on chemical insecticides. Reliance on insecticides is difficult to sustain because of unintended long‐term adverse effects on the environment and human health. Consequently, there is a need to develop pest management strategies that ensure the production of high‐quality products, while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability and maximum consumer protection. We evaluated the efficacy the biopesticides: Azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis, Steinernema feltiae and Beauveria bassiana individually and in combination against T. absoluta under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. When second instar larvae were exposed to tomato leaf discs treated with Azadirachtin (3 g / L), B. thuringiensis (0.5 g/L) or B. bassiana (1.5 g/L), 70%–86%, 55%–65%, and 45.5%–58.5% mortality was observed, respectively. Steinernema feltiae (1,000 IJs/ml) was the least effective biopesticide, with 26%–42% mortality. In the greenhouse trials on tomato, pest infestation (mines/10 leaves/plant) and fruits damaged were significantly lower on plants treated with Azadirachtin  +  B. thuringiensis or Azadirachtin  +  B. bassiana compared to plants treated with Azadirachtin, B. thuringiensi, B. bassiana or S. feltiae alone. Azadirachtin  +  B. thuringiensis and Azadirachtin  +  B. bassiana resulted in 90% and 81% reduction in fruits damaged in the summer experiments, respectively, and 96% and 91% in winter. The most severe pest infestation was observed on plants treated with S. feltia. The results indicate that the biopesticides, except S. feltia, can contribute to T. absoluta control in greenhouse tomato crops. In particular, the combined use of Azadirachtin with B. thuringiensis or B. bassiana provided the highest level of control of the pest. The potential for including these biopesticides in an overall sustainable integrated pest management programme for T. absoluta is discussed.     

Efficacy of sulphur on Tuta absoluta and its side effects on the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is one of the major pests of tomato crop. Since its detection in the Mediterranean basin, it has been commonly controlled using chemical insecticides. However, inoculation and conservation of predatory mirids, integrated with sprays of selective insecticides, has been demonstrated to be a cost‐effective strategy for controlling this pest. In this work, we tested the efficacy of two sulphur formulations, dustable and wettable powder, for controlling T. absoluta on tomato under greenhouse and open‐field conditions. In addition, the side effects of both sulphur formulations on the predator, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter), were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Dustable sulphur, applied weekly on tomato seedlings artificially infested with T. absoluta in greenhouse conditions, significantly reduced the infestation levels and was demonstrated to have a repellent effect on oviposition. Wettable sulphur was not effective for controlling T. absoluta populations in both greenhouse and open‐field experiments. In the side effect trials conducted with N. tenuis, only dustable sulphur resulted in being moderately harmful as a fresh residue and slightly harmful as a 7‐day‐old residue; no effects were recorded exposing the predator to 14‐day‐old sulphur residues. In contrast, wettable sulphur was classified as harmless to N. tenuis. Our results suggest that the use of sulphur, especially as dustable powder, could be considered as a tool in T. absoluta management strategies, although its side effects on N. tenuis should be taken into account. The implications of these results for the use of sulphur formulations in pest and disease management programmes in tomato crops are discussed.     

中国新发现外来入侵害虫——南美番茄潜叶蛾(鳞翅目:麦蛾科)

2017年8月,在新疆维吾尔自治区伊犁哈萨克自治州露地鲜食番茄上发现一种鳞翅目害虫,以幼虫潜食叶肉、蛀食果实,经鉴定为南美番茄潜叶蛾。该害虫原产南美洲的秘鲁,2006年入侵欧洲的西班牙,截至2017年5月,已在南美洲、欧洲、非洲、中美洲和亚洲的80多个国家和地区发生,严重危害鲜食番茄、加工番茄和樱桃番茄/圣女果,产量损失最高可达80%～100%。本文提供了南美番茄潜叶蛾的危害情况及主要形态鉴定特征,提出了防范其进一步扩散危害的措施建议以及今后应开展的主要研究方向,包括植物检疫、发生分布调查、生物学生态学特性研究、天敌资源挖掘利用等,以为积极应对南美番茄潜叶蛾对我国农业生产安全的威胁提供参考。     

Assessment of the natural control of Neoleucinodes elegantalis in tomato cultivation using ecological life tables

Life table studies allow for a better understanding of mortality factors against insect pests. It assesses each mortality factor and its parameters in population suppression. Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the major pests of solanaceous crops in South America. The background information provided by life table studies might be used for developing management strategies for controlling N. elegantalis. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify and quantify the mortality factors of N. elegantalis in tomato cultivation by using life tables. The results were obtained from 64 ecological life tables. The mortality factors for eggs, larvae and pupae were due to rain, fruit drop, predation, parasitism and unviability caused by physiological disorder and diseases. The percentage of total death for eggs, larvae and pupae were 64.2%, 24.9% and 5.93%, respectively. The highest rates of mortality were caused by predation and parasitism. Thus, mortality of N. elegantalis caused by natural enemies might be used as a basis for determining which methods are better for controlling N. elegantalis while having the lowest possible impact on its natural enemies.     

Suitability of the tomato borer Tuta absoluta as prey for Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis

The tomato borer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lep.: Gelechiidae), is an important tomato pest native to South America, which appeared in eastern Spain at the end of 2006. Prey suitability of T. absoluta eggs and larval instars was examined under laboratory conditions to evaluate whether two indigenous predators, Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hem.: Miridae), can adapt to this invasive pest. Both predators preyed actively on T. absoluta eggs and all larval stages, although they preferred first‐instar larvae. Our results demonstrate that both mirids can adapt to this invasive pest, contributing to their value as biological control agents in tomato crops.     

The distribution of estuarine fish larvae: Nutritional condition andco-occurrence with predators and prey

Fish larvae were collected monthly between March and September 1997 in the Mira and Guadiana estuaries (southern Portugal). Hydrological parameters were registered and zooplankton samples were obtained simultaneously. Densities of fish larvae (ind·100 m^–3) were calculated from 211 samples and larval nutritional condition measured as RNA/DNA ratios were obtained for 346 individuals, using a fluorimetric method for nucleic acid quantification. Correlating variables were further studied using multiple regression analysis in order to assess the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors affecting within-year trends in abundance and nutritional condition of estuarine fish larvae. Results indicated that: 1) the abundance of fish larvae seems conditioned by temperature and predation; and 2) their nutritional condition is dependent on temperature and prey availability. Temperature is an important variable structuring estuaries and therefore conditions the behaviour and physiology of fish larvae. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of predators and larvae might be related to similar feeding patterns or comensalism. Whenever feeding conditions are suitable, they usually determine enhanced growth and nutritional condition. However, predation seems to control this latter relationship through its effect on larval mortality.     

Entomopathogenic fungus isolates for adult Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) management and their compatibility with Tuta pheromone

Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, is a widely consumed and economically important vegetable in the tropics. However, its production and productivity have been recently hampered by the invasive Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), a key pest of tomato causing extensive economic damage in Africa. Currently, the commonly used management strategy is synthetic insecticides with hazardous effects on humans and environment. The application of entomopathogenic fungal and viral-based biopesticides is promising alternatives. To identify potent strains, pathogenicity of dry conidia of 12 Metarhizium anisopliae isolates was evaluated against adult T. absoluta. Further effects of the most potent isolates on pupation through the late 4th instar larval infection, adult emergence and horizontal transmission of inoculum were assessed. Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 18, ICIPE 20 and ICIPE 665 outperformed the other isolates causing adult mortality of 95.0%, 87.5% and 86.25%, respectively. The three potent isolates differed significantly for LT₅₀ values of 5.13, 3.17 and 2.38 days for ICIPE 18, ICIPE 20 and ICIPE 665, respectively. Pupation and adult emergence were significantly reduced by these potent isolates, which were also compatible with Tuta pheromone (TUA-Optima^®) with ≥90% conidial germination 24 hr post-exposure. These potent isolates could be developed as effective biopesticides and used in combination with TUA-Optima^® for mass trapping and autodissemination for T. absoluta management in solanaceous crop production systems.