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

Abstract

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.

Role of digestive enzymes in the adaptation of Frankliniella occidentalis to preferred and less‐preferred host plants

“…This might be because the lower activities of amylase could meet the need for nutrition. Shahbaz et al (2019) found that Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) had the highest body weight but the lowest enzyme activity on susceptible tomato cultivars. The present study also found that there was no significant change in tryptase activity in the second instars following transfer to kidney bean plants.…”

“…For example, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) regulates the levels of digestive enzymes in response to the macromolecular composition of its diet, allowing it to obtain better nourishment and avoid toxicity due to nutritional imbalance (Kotkar et al, 2009; Simon et al, 2015). When feeding on a host plant with higher nutrient content, some enzymes significantly increased their activities to ensure rapid growth (Wright et al, 2006; Zhang et al, 2009), whereas the activity of other enzymes did not change significantly (Kotkar et al, 2009; Shahbaz et al, 2019). The differences in activity of digestive enzymes among host plants reflect the mechanism of insect physiological regulation.…”

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on the “Offensive” in Africa: Prospects for Integrated Management Initiatives

“…Tuta absoluta larvae attack almost all aerial parts of tomato plants, resulting in ~80-100% yield losses if left uncontrolled [73]. Larval feeding also reduces fruit quality through creating pin holes prone to secondary attack by pathogens, rendering them unmarketable [74].…”

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

“…The net reproductive rate as well as the intrinsic rate of population growth were both higher on 'Bravo' than on 'Tex 317'. Larvae feeding on the 'Valouro' cultivar, classified as highly susceptible to T. absoluta infestation, showed the lowest proteolytic and amylolytic activity and reached the highest body weight (3.42 mg) compared to the 'Korral' cultivar (Shahbaz et al, 2017). Sadeghinasab et al (2017) indicated that Km and Vmax values for α-amylase, the specific activity of α-/ß-glucosidases and α/ß-galactosidases, obtained for T. absoluta fourth instar larvae differ among tested tomato cultivars ('Kingston', 'Riogrande', 'Super Luna', 'Super Chief', 'Super strain B' and 'Calj').…”

“…Tuta absoluta cultivar resistance is likely associated with the diversity and abundance of glandular trichomes (Campos et al, 2009;Khederi et al, 2014;Shahbaz et al, 2017). The length and density of glandular trichomes are negatively correlated with T. absoluta damage (Darbain et al, 2016).…”