Functional response of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) feeding on two different prey species

Functional response type and predatory parameters of Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae), the two important predators widely used in IPM programmes at tomato greenhouses, were investigated. The predators fed on Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) or Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs. Different densities of prey eggs including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 (latest only for E. kuehniella) were used at laboratory conditions. The results showed that both predatory bugs had type II functional response. Also, predation indices were significantly different between the predators. Although N. tenuis was more efficient against T. absoluta eggs than M. pygmaeus, M. pygmaeus predatory indices showed that this predator was more efficient on E. kuehniella eggs. Thus, minimum and maximum attack rate were observed in N. tenuis fed on E. kuehniella (0.0871 h^?1) and T. absoluta (0.2514 h^?1) eggs, respectively. Whilst, the minimum and maximum handling time were observed in M. pygmaeus fed on E. kuehniella (1.8695 h) and T. absoluta (2.7415 h) eggs, respectively.     

Response of the zoophytophagous predators Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis to volatiles of uninfested plants and to plants infested by prey or conspecifics

Knowledge about the orientation mechanisms used by two important predaceous mirids (Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambour and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter)) in finding their prey (whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and the tomato borer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)) is limited. In a Y-tube olfactometer, we tested the behavioral responses of naïve and experienced predators to uninfested plants, herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) from plants infested with T. absoluta and/or B. tabaci, the sex pheromone of T. absoluta, and volatiles produced by plants injured by the predators. Nesidiocoris tenuis responds to volatiles produced by uninfested plants only after experience with the plant, whereas naïve and experienced M. pygmaeus show positive chemotaxis. Both predators are attracted to volatiles from prey-infested plants, and we provide the first evidence that experience affects this response in M. pygmaeus. Infestation of the same plant by both prey species elicited similar responses by the two predators as plants infested by either herbivore singly. Neither predator responded to sex pheromones of T. absoluta. Macrolophus pygmaeus avoided plants injured by conspecifics, while N. tenuis females were attracted by such plants. The implications of these results for augmentative biological control are discussed.     

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.     

Intraguild predation and sublethal interactions between two zoophytophagous mirids,Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis

The omnivorous predators Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important biological control agents of pests on tomato crops. In this study, potential intraguild predation (IGP) interactions between the two species were investigated on tomato. We examined: (a) the within plant distribution of both species in the field, (b) the within plant distribution of each predatory species when co-occurred at high densities on tomato caged plants, (c) their behavioral interactions when enclosed in experimental arenas and (d) the development young and old nymphs of M. pygmaeus when enclosed together with N. tenuis adults. Results revealed that the two predators showed a different distribution pattern on the plants, with N. tenuis exploiting mostly the upper part, whereas M. pygmaeus were mostly observed on the 5th to the 7th leaf from the top. However, when the predators co-occurred, N. tenuis or M. pygmaeus individuals were recorded with increased numbers on the lower or the higher part of the plant, respectively. In the presence of N. tenuis adult young nymphs of M. pygmaeus completed their development to the adult stage, when alternative prey (lepidopteran eggs) was present on the plant, however failed to reach adulthood in the absence of alternative prey. A high percentage of the dead nymphs found with their body fluids totally sucked indicating predation by N. tenuis. However, large 4th instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus were much less vulnerable to N. tenuis than younger. The behavior of N. tenuis was affected by the presence of M. pygmaeus, but at a rate similar to that when two individuals of N. tenuis were enclosed together. Contacts between the predators were recorded in a similar frequency in mono- and heterospecific treatments, whereas aggressive behavior was not observed. This study shows that intraguild interactions between M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis occur but are not intensive. The potential implications of the outcomes for biological control are discussed.     

Sugar as nutritional supplement for the zoophytophagous predator Nesidiocoris tenuis

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a zoophytophagous predator widely used in integrated pest management programs in both greenhouse and open-field tomato crops. Mass rearing of N. tenuis is greatly dependent on Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as food source. Moreover, the addition of this factitious prey after the inoculative releases of N. tenuis under field conditions is recommended to facilitate establishment of this mirid. However, E. kuehniella eggs are expensive and availability is limited. One possible strategy to reduce the amount of E. kuehniella eggs needed is the provision of sugar. In this work, the effect of sucrose as nutritional supplement on selected life-history traits of N. tenuis was studied. The addition of sucrose (0.5 M) ad libitum to a diet of E. kuehniella eggs significantly increased the progeny of N. tenuis and did not affect survival of nymphs nor developmental time. Moreover, addition of sucrose significantly reduced the number of E. kuehniella eggs consumed. These results may have practical implications of interest in mass rearing systems of N. tenuis and its management in fields and greenhouses as a part of biological control programs.     

The predatory mirid Dicyphus maroccanus as a new potential biological control agent in tomato crops

The first record of the omnivorous predator Dicyphus maroccanus Wagner (Hemiptera: Miridae) inhabiting tomato crops in the Valencia region (East Coast of Spain) was in 2009. Since then, D. maroccanus has often been found preying on the eggs of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in this area. To evaluate this predator’s potential as a biological control agent, its life-history traits in the presence and absence of prey [(eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] on tomato plants were studied under laboratory conditions. Immature stages that preyed on eggs of E. kuehniella developed successfully. However, no nymph completed development on the plant without the addition of E. kuehniella eggs. To reach adulthood, male and female D. maroccanus nymphs consumed 267 and 312 E. kuehniella eggs, respectively. The net reproductive rate (R₀) was estimated to be 34.52 female eggs per female, the generation time (T) was 40.48 days, and the estimated intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) was 0.0868 females per female per day at 25 °C. In a second experiment, the capacity to detect plants infested or not infested with T. absoluta was studied using a Y-tube olfactometer. Female D. maroccanus were strongly attracted to the odor of T. absoluta-infested plants. In a third experiment, the capacity of D. maroccanus to control T. absoluta on tomato plants was investigated under extended laboratory conditions. Dicyphus maroccanus significantly reduced the number of T. absoluta-infested leaves in over 90 % of cases relative to control conditions. These results suggest that D. maroccanus could play a significant role in T. absoluta management. The potential of this zoophytophagous predator as a biocontrol agent on tomato crops is discussed.     

Sugars as complementary alternative food for the establishment of Nesidiocoris tenuis in greenhouse tomato

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an omnivorous generalist predator which is augmentatively released and conserved for control of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato crops. Eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are often provided as factitious prey to improve the establishment of N. tenuis after its release. We first tested different amounts of E. kuehniella eggs per plant to optimize N. tenuis establishment and then investigated whether the amount of eggs that optimized N. tenuis establishment might be reduced by adding sugars (hydrocapsules filled with 0.5 m sucrose) under walk‐in cage and commercial greenhouse conditions. These experiments demonstrated that the addition of sugar to the diet of N. tenuis could half the amount of E. kuehniella eggs required to establish N. tenuis. Under greenhouse conditions, the progeny of N. tenuis per plant did not differ significantly between E. kuehniella alone or the half amount of E. kuehniella plus hydrocapsules. These results demonstrated that the sugar could partially substitute for E. kuehniella eggs improve establishment of N. tenuis and suggest that natural sugars such as nectar and honeydew might also beneficial.     

How does a predator find its prey? Nesidiocoris tenuis is able to detect Tuta absoluta by HIPVs

The Zoophytophagous predator, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is one of the most important candidates for controlling Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato crops. This predator uses different signals including morphological plant traits, prey insects, and volatile substances produced by the infested plants and prey signals to find its suitable prey. These signals are different in each cultivar of a plant. We aimed to understand how N. tenuis finds its prey using volatiles from tomato plants damaged or infested with T. absoluta. The predator’s responses to various plant treatments on two cultivars of tomato plants were tested in a flight tunnel and a four-choice olfactometer. The volatile compounds released from the treatments were also collected and identified. The results of the olfactory experiments showed that the predators even in the absence of light chose the plants bearing their insect prey. This behavior was not the same in both cultivars, and N. tenuis had a tendency toward mechanically damaged of Early Urbana Y cultivar more than Cal JN3 cultivar. The differences in the amount of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and eugenol between cultivars may play a role in the differential attraction of N. tenuis towards infested plants. The difference in the volatile compounds was evident in two cultivars, and this was consistent with our bioassay results. Therefore, the choice of appropriate cultivar and use of herbivore-infested plant volatiles are important for developing a control strategy against T. absoluta and attract its predators.     

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.     

Life‐history parameters and predation capacity of Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) on eggs of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

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Biological activity and specificity of Miridae-induced plant volatiles

The ability of zoophytophagous predators to produce defensive plant responses due to their phytophagous behavior has been recently demonstrated. In the case of tomatoes, the mirids Nesidiocoris tenuis and Macrolophus pygmaeus are able to attract or repel pests and/or natural enemies in different ways. Nevertheless, the herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) released by the phytophagy of both mirids, which are responsible for these behaviors, are unknown. In this work, the HIPVs produced by the plant feeding of N. tenuis and M. pygmaeus were characterized. In addition, the role of each HIPV in the repellence or attraction of two tomato pests, Bemisia tabaci and Tuta absoluta, and of the natural enemy Encarsia formosa was evaluated. Six green leaf volatiles (GLVs) plus methyl salicylate and octyl acetate clearly stood out as major differential peaks on the chromatogram in a directed analysis. The six GLV and methyl salicylate were repellent for B. tabaci and attractive to E. formosa, whereas they showed no effect on T. absoluta. Octyl acetate, which was significantly present only in the M. pygmaeus-punctured plants, was significantly attractive to T. absoluta, repellent to E. formosa and indifferent to B. tabaci. Unlike the remaining HIPVs, octyl acetate was emitted directly by M. pygmaeus and not by the plant. Our results showed that mirid herbivory could modulate the pest and natural plant enemy locations, since tomato plants release a blend of volatiles in response to this activity. These results could serve as a basis for future development of plant protection.     

Preplant release of Nesidiocoris tenuis and supplementary tactics for control of Tuta absoluta and Bemisa tabaci in greenhouse tomato

An early release system developed for Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) could provide a good control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato. Tuta absoluta and the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) often appear simultaneously in tomato crops and this might affect control capacity. Therefore, the new approach needs to be tested in a situation with both pests present. In addition, Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and Trichogramma achaeae Nagaraja & Nagarkatti (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) have been shown to be effective against T. absoluta and could be a supplement to N. tenuis. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the potential of this approach and its combination with supplementary control agents against T. absoluta. In the first experiment four treatments were compared (T. absoluta, B. tabaci, T. absoluta + N. tenuis, and T. absoluta + B. tabaci + N. tenuis) and N. tenuis was able to control T. absoluta and B. tabaci either alone or together. In the second experiment, five treatments were compared: T. absoluta, T. absoluta + N. tenuis, T. absoluta + N. tenuis + T. achaeae, T. absoluta + N. tenuis + B. thuringiensis, and T. absoluta + N. tenuis + T. achaeae + B. thuringiensis. Nesidiocoris tenuis again proved capable of significantly reducing T. absoluta populations, and the implementation of additional agents did not increase its effectiveness.     

Intraguild predation and cannibalism among Dicyphini: Dicyphus cerastii vs. two commercialized species

Dicyphine mirids are one of the most important groups of predators on tomato. In the Mediterranean region, several species in the genera Dicyphus, Macrolophus, and Nesidiocoris (Hemiptera: Miridae, Bryocorinae, Dicyphini) colonize protected horticultural crops. In Portugal, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) is increasingly abundant in the mirid species complex of tomato crops and appears to be displacing the native Dicyphus cerastii Wagner. In order to know whether intraguild predation (IGP) can explain the decreasing abundance of D. cerastii, we evaluated predatory interactions between adult females and first instars of D. cerastii vs. N. tenuis but also D. cerastii vs. Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), as this species is also naturally present in horticultural crops in Portugal. Cannibalistic interactions were also tested for the same three species. All experiments were performed under laboratory conditions, in Petri dish arenas, in the presence or absence of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as alternative prey. Predation on both heterospecific and conspecific nymphs occurred only in the absence of alternative food. Intraguild predation was mutual and symmetrical between D. cerastii and M. pygmaeus. However, IGP was asymmetrical between D. cerastii and N. tenuis, favouring the first. Cannibalism was not significantly different among these mirid species. Our results show that D. cerastii has a greater capacity to feed on intraguild prey than N. tenuis. Therefore, IGP on small nymphs does not explain the abundance shift between D. cerastii and N. tenuis.     

The combined use of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nesidiocoris tenuis</Emphasis> against the tomato borer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis>

Since Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was first detected at the end of 2006 in the Mediterranean Basin, several endemic natural enemies have been reported to prey on this exotic pest. The predator Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) can regulate T. absoluta populations, because it is able to prey efficiently on T. absoluta eggs. Furthermore, previous studies have demonstrated that first-instar larvae of T. absoluta are highly susceptible to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) treatments. In this work, we tested the combination of both approaches under greenhouse conditions. B. thuringiensis formulations were sprayed weekly for two months, three months or throughout the growing cycle, and in all cases, one N. tenuis per plant was also released. Control plants were completely destroyed by the infestation levels reached by T. absoluta. In contrast, all treatments based on B. thuringiensis treatments and releases of N. tenuis reduced leaf damage by more than 97% when compared to the untreated control, with no significant differences among them. Furthermore, yield in the control plants was significantly reduced when compared with all Bt–N. tenuis treatments. Our results demonstrate that when B. thuringiensis treatments are applied immediately after the initial detection of T. absoluta on plants, they do not interfere with N. tenuis establishment in the crop because T. absoluta eggs are available. According to our data, treatments with B. thuringiensis later in the growing season would no longer be necessary because mirids alone would control the pest.     

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.     

Fitness and predation potential of Macrolophus pygmaeus reared under artificial conditions

Abstract The biological parameters of Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur after prolonged rearing in the absence of plant materials were compared with those of conventionally plant‐reared predators. When eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller were provided as food, developmental and reproductive fitness of M. pygmaeus reared for over 30 consecutive generations using artificial living and oviposition substrates was similar to that of predators kept on tobacco leaves. Plantless‐reared fifth instars of the predator also had similar predation rates on second instars of the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae Blackman, as their peers maintained on plant materials. In a further experiment, predation on aphid prey by fifth instar M. pygmaeus fed one of two egg yolk‐based artificial diets was compared with that of nymphs fed E. kuehniella eggs. Despite their lower body weights, predators produced on either artificial diet killed similar numbers of prey as their counterparts reared on lepidopteran eggs. Our study indicates that artificial rearing systems may be useful to further rationalize the production of this economically important biological control agent.     

Response of mirid predators to synthetic herbivore‐induced plant volatiles

Zoophytophagous plant bugs feed on plant tissue as a source of water and nutrients, besides feeding on prey. By phytophagy, mirid predators activate plant defense responses through different pathways, resulting, among others, in the release of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). These compounds could repel herbivores and attract parasitoids and predators, and synthetic versions could potentially be used in biological control. Nevertheless, little is known about the influence of synthetic volatiles on mirid attraction. Using Y‐tube olfactometer trials, we evaluated the responses of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter), Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), and Dicyphus bolivari Lindberg (Hemiptera: Miridae), important natural enemies used to control various greenhouse pests, to 10 synthetic versions of HIPVs released from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae) plants induced by N. tenuis and M. pygmaeus. Nesidiocoris tenuis responded to five of the 10 HIPVs, whereas M. pygmaeus and D. bolivari responded to four of the 10 HIPVs. Two green leaf volatiles, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl propanoate and (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, and the ester methyl salicylate (MeSA) were attractive to all three mirid predator species. Our results demonstrate that the volatiles released by tomato plants activated by N. tenuis and M. pygmaeus phytophagy are attractive to their conspecifics and also to D. bolivari. Further studies should evaluate the potential of these compounds to attract predatory mirids in the field.     

Natural enemies of Tuta absoluta in the Mediterranean basin,Europe and South America

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) represents a global threat to commercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production, both in open field and greenhouse. Native to South America, it spread over the Mediterranean Basin, Europe, Africa and part of Asia in only 12 years, and currently it is reported in over 80 countries. Biological control is one of the options for its control and a large number of natural enemies has been reported in association with the pest, both in the areas of origin and of introduction. The egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum, in South America, and the mirid predators Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis, in Europe and the Mediterranean basin, are used as commercial biocontrol agents. Even if several natural enemies might be promising candidates for biocontrol, their potential role in quantitative pest reduction has been seldom established under practical tomato production conditions.

Since climatic suitability indices predict a high probability for continued invasion by T. absoluta, mainly in China and the USA, there is an urgent need for new control options. In order to minimise the use of broad spectrum insecticides, biocontrol techniques should be considered. As tomato is produced seasonally, augmentative biocontrol seems to be the most effective control option, but pest reduction might be optimised by adding conservation biocontrol, and by combining biocontrol within IPM programmes.

Here, an overview of predators and parasitoids of T. absoluta in South American and Euro-Mediterranean regions, and their biological control efficacy under laboratory, semi-field and field conditions is provided.     

Effects of Sublethal Concentrations of Insecticides on the Functional Response of Two Mirid Generalist Predators

The use of agrochemicals particularly pesticides, can hamper the effectiveness of natural enemies, causing disruption in the ecosystem service of biological control. In the current study, the effects of the insecticides thiacloprid and chlorantraniliprole on the functional response curves were assessed for two mirid predator nymphs, Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter. In the absence of insecticides, both predators exhibited a type II functional response when feeding on eggs of the moth Ephestia kuehniella. N. tenuis seems to be a more efficient predator than M. pygmaeus, as model estimated handling time was significantly lower for the former than for the latter. Residual exposure of M. pygmaeus to sublethal concentrations of either insecticide was associated with a change in the asymptote but not the type of the functional response curve. Thiacloprid seems to be the least compatible with M. pygmaeus, as it led to both a significant reduction of the attack rate and an increase in handling time. In contrast, chlorantraniliprole exposure significantly increased the handling time, but not the attack rate of the predator. Residual exposure of N. tenuis to sublethal concentrations of either insecticide did not have a significant effect on the type nor the parameters of the functional response model. The results show that pesticide residues that do not have lethal effects on beneficial arthropods can reduce prey consumption depending on predator species and on likely risks associated with toxicity.     

Development,Reproduction, Survival,and Demographic Patterns of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Different Commercial Tomato Cultivars

The increase in the production of tomato, Solanum lycopersicon Mill. (Solanaceae), has favored the proliferation of pests, especially Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). In this study, the development, reproduction, survival, and demographic parameters of T. absoluta reared on six commercial tomato cultivars (Cherry, Cordilheira, Giuliana, Nemoneta, Paron, and Santa Clara) were evaluated. Tuta absoluta completed its development in all tomato cultivars. Development from newly hatched caterpillar to newly emerged adult varied between 24.8 and 28.2 days. Female fecundity ranged from 126.3 to 166.9 eggs, with fertility from 54.2 to 84.1%. Mortality during egg-adult development varied between 21.4 and 46.4% for insects reared on cultivars Cherry and Giuliana, respectively. The cultivars Cordilheira, Giuliana, and Santa Clara are promising options to tomato producers in order to decrease the attack and proliferation of T. absoluta. However, the development and population growth of T. absoluta is faster on the tomato cultivar Cherry.