A review of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) host plants and their impact on management strategies

Abstract

Introduction. Tuta absoluta is one of the most harmful insect pests of tomato crops worldwide. While its host plants mainly include Solanaceae species, recent studies suggest that it can lay eggs and develop on a wider range of wild and cultivated plants. No complete list of host plants based on available scientific data exists. Such information is important for those who aim at performing integrated management strategies against this pest, especially when it comes to identify host reservoirs where the species can survive between harvests or avoid insecticide exposure. Literature. We identified cultivated and non-cultivated plant species belonging to Solanaceae, Amaranthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Geraniaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Malvaceae that allow partial or complete egg-imago development. Among them, we found out that most non-Solanaceous plants serve as oviposition sites only (with no larval development possible), and a few of them allow partial life cycle (causing late instars to die prematurely). We also identified a strong cultivar-dependence in the most common cultivated plant species including tomato and potato. Conclusions. We discuss the potential of resistant and genetically modified tomato cultivars, plant chemical compounds and fertilization as components of integrated control strategies of T. absoluta.

Comprehensive Metabolome and Volatilome Analyses in Eggplant and Tomato Reveal Their Differential Responses to Tuta absoluta Infestation

“…Although researchers and the government have attempted to limit the spread of T. absoluta in China by working together, the pest was found in the Xinjiang region of China in 2017 (Zhang et al, 2020 ). In 2018, the damage of this pest has also been reported in protected-field fresh marketing tomatoes in Lincang, Yunnan province (Cherif and Verheggen, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ). Recent studies have found that T. absoluta is spreading at 800 km each year (Cherif and Verheggen, 2019 ; Li Xiaowei, 2019 ).…”

“…In 2018, the damage of this pest has also been reported in protected-field fresh marketing tomatoes in Lincang, Yunnan province (Cherif and Verheggen, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ). Recent studies have found that T. absoluta is spreading at 800 km each year (Cherif and Verheggen, 2019 ; Li Xiaowei, 2019 ). In the light of these new findings, specifically in terms of migratory patterns, a more focused tracking of tomato-growing areas is necessary throughout China; otherwise, tomatoes elsewhere in the country will lose their resistance to the pest.…”

“…The South American tomato pinworm [ Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)] has become one of the most destructive pests in tomato production worldwide (Bawin et al, 2016 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ). Tuta absoluta belongs to the Gelechiidae family in the order Lepidoptera (Zhang et al, 2020 ) and was first described in South America in 1917, which caused extensive damage to tomatoes and other plants (Biondi et al, 2018 ; Cherif and Verheggen, 2019 ; Tarusikirwa et al, 2020 ). The pest has since spread widely to ~110 countries in Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East through the large-scale importation of tomatoes in those countries (Desneux et al, 2010 ; Biondi et al, 2018 ; Mansour et al, 2018 ; Guimapi et al, 2020 ).…”

“…However, biotic factors such as insects and pathogens are significant impediments to their long-term development (Shah et al, 2015 ). Tomato and eggplant cultivation under field and greenhouse conditions are rapidly expanding into new regions in China (Desneux et al, 2010 ; Biondi et al, 2018 ; Cherif and Verheggen, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ). Although researchers and the government have attempted to limit the spread of T. absoluta in China by working together, the pest was found in the Xinjiang region of China in 2017 (Zhang et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Researchers have been investigating the various mechanisms of T. absoluta infestations in tomatoes and other species (Desneux et al, 2010 ; Cherif and Verheggen, 2019 ; Silva et al, 2021 ). In our earlier studies, the T. absoluta growth and survival rate in tomatoes was found to be substantially higher than in eggplants (Li Xiaowei, 2019 ).…”