Tomato pests update: Tuta absoluta

EPPO releases its latest information about tomato pests The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) has recently disclosed new information about pests in several tomato crops. Reports of Tuta absoluta in Greece, Lithuania, Iraq, Italy, the United Kingdon and the Mediterranean basin are described hereunder. First report of Tuta absoluta in Greece In Greece, the presence of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was detected for the first time in June 2009 in Crete. The pest was then identified in 5 geographically distant regions of Crete (Chania, Heraklion), Peloponnese (Achaea, Trifilia) and Western Greece (Preveza), both in glasshouse and field tomato crops. The distribution of T. absoluta in Greece is localized and scattered, suggesting multiple and simultaneous introductions rather than natural spread resulting from a single introduction. The situation of Tuta absoluta in Greece can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2009 in Crete, Peloponnese and Western Greece. First report of Tuta absoluta in Lithuania Following the detection of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List) in imported tomato fruits, surveys were conducted from July to September 2009 in Lithuania. Yellow sticky traps with synthetic sex pheromones were located in tomato glasshouses in different parts of the country. Several specimens (40 in total) of T. absoluta were caught at 3 sites: Pagiriai (Vilnius city, Vilnius county), Vidmantai (Kretinga district, Klaipeda county) and Naujosios Kietaviškes (Elektrenai municipality, Vilnius county). The situation of Tuta absoluta in Lithuania can be described as follows: Present, detected for the first time in 2009 in 3 sites, on glasshouse tomatoes only. First report of Tuta absoluta in Iraq In Iraq, tomato crops were surveyed for the presence of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List) during autumn 2010. The pest was found near Rabia (Ninawa Governorate, northern part of the country neighbouring Syria). The situation of Tuta absoluta in Iraq can be described as follows: Present, first found in autumn 2010 in Ninawa Governorate. Tuta absoluta detected in Trentino-Alto Adige region, Italy The presence of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List) has been detected in the Autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige region), Italy. During monitoring surveys, adult specimens were caught by pheromone traps in both indoor and outdoor tomato crops. The situation of Tuta absoluta in Italy can be described as follows: First found in spring 2008 in Southern Italy, now reported from Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Molise, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Trentino-Alto Adidge Umbria and Veneto; under official control. Tuta absoluta in the United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, 11 and 2 outbreaks of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List) were found in tomato crops in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Eradication measures are continuing. The situation of Tuta absoluta in the United Kingdom can be described as follows: Small numbers of outbreaks were reported in 2009 and 2010, under eradication. Tuta absoluta continues to spread around the Mediterranean Basin According to the Information Network on Tuta absoluta (Internet forum) and personal communications, the pest continues to spread, in particular towards the Eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin. The presence of T. absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List) has been detected in the following countries, but most of these records have not been confirmed officially by NPPOs or published in the scientific literature. Bahrain and Kuwait: the presence of T. absoluta is suspected in these two countries on the basis of symptoms observed on tomato crops. Egypt and Jordan: articles published in the Egyptian and Jordanian newspapers have indicated that T. absoluta is widespread in these countries and causing severe economic losses in tomato crops. Lebanon: according to discussions on the Internet forum, T. absoluta is causing problems in tomato crops. Libya: it was declared in July 2009 that T. absoluta was captured in pheromone traps in 2 locations. Saudi Arabia: sporadic infestations of T. absoluta have been detected in different parts of the country, in tomato crops in Tabuk (northwest of the country near Jordan), in tomato and potato crops in the northern region of Hail, and also in farms close to Medina (Al-Medina Al-Mounawara). Sudan: in June 2010, T. absoluta was observed in greenhouse tomatoes (summer production) showing severe foliar symptoms in Khartoum State. From February to April 2011, the pest was detected in tomatoes (both protected and outdoor crops), as well as in aubergine and potato crops using the pheromone traps. This the first record of T. absoluta in Sudan. Syria: specimens of T. absoluta have been caught in various locations. Leaf damage was observed on many farms in the regions of Banyas and Tartous. About EPPO: EPPO is an intergovernmental organization responsible for European co-operation in plant protection in the European and Mediterranean region. Founded in 1951, it has grown from 15 original members to today's 50 member countries, including nearly every country in the European and Mediterranean region. Under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), EPPO is the regional plant protection organization (RPPO) for Europe. EPPO – May 2011 source :