A survey of tomato leafminer [(Tuta absoluta Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)] and its natural enemies in the South-east Anatolia Region

Abstract

Abstract: Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), which is one of themost important pests of tomatoes worldwide, was first observed in Turkey in 2009. It hasrapidly become the main pest in many tomato growing areas, primarily in theMediterranean, Aegean and South-east Anatolia regions. In this study, this pest and itsnatural enemies were investigated in the Southeast Anatolia Region. Monthly surveys wereconducted in open fields in the most important tomato growing provinces (ġanlıurfa,Diyarbakır and Mardin) in the tomato growing periods of 2011 and 2012. It was determinedthat the areas investigated were nearly completely infested with T. absoluta. Separately, 2larval parasitoids, 1 larval-pupal parasitoid and 12 predators of T. absoluta, were Collected.