Common name: South American tomato pinworm
Scientific name: Tuta absoluta
Order: Lepidoptera
Affects: Tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines, tobacco
Main season: Spring and Summer
Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a serious tomato pest that also damages aubergines, potatoes and can use other Solanaceae as host plants.
The geographical distribution of Tuta absoluta spreads throughout South America, Argentina (introduced by Chile in 1964, according to García and Espul, 1982), Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Tuta absoluta is not present in Andean regions in altitudes above 1.000 m because the low temperatures are a limiting factor for its survival (Notz, 1992).
Egg: It is creamy white, sometimes yellow, turning a darker shade when close to hatching. It is cylindrical with an average length of 0.36 mm and width of 0.22 mm.
The eggs are individually laid and rarely, they can be found in groups of 5, preferably on the underside of young or fairly mature leaves (Notz, 1992). The average duration before hatching is 4.5 days at a temperature of 24.6 oC.
Tuta absoluta Eggs
Larva: The prothoracic shield has a dark stripe on its backside. The newly hatched larva is creamy yellow to later turn a greenish colour. Its size varies from 0.9 mm at the beginning to 7.5 mm at the end of its growth period.
Once the larva emerges, it starts walking and finds its penetration point. It then breaks the epidermis and penetrates into the leaf, consuming the mesophyll. The larva can abandon the mine at any given moment and build another one on a nearby leaf. They can spread very quickly to other plants by hanging on silk threads and then being transported by the wind. The average growth period lasts 12.01 days, therefore they need to go through 4 stages.
Tuta absoluta larva
Tuta absoluta larva inside a tomato stem
Pupa: Newly formed it is green, turning a dark brown colour when the adult is about to emerge. The female pupa is larger than the male pupa, measuring 4.67 mm and 4.27 mm long and 1.37 mm and 1.23 mm wide, respectively. Larvae that are ready to pupate, stop feeding and begin to spin a cocoon.
This can happen in the leaves, inside the mines, on the ground or in the fallen leaves. The average growth period for male pupae is 7.80 days and for female pupae 6.72 days.
Tuta absoluta pupae
Adult: Both sexes have ashen forewings with shades that vary from blackish to grey. The hindwings are a bright black colour with dark cilia. The head, thorax and palps are ash grey with dark shades. The length of the forewings is from 4.5 to 4.7 mm.
They are nocturnal, remaining hidden amongst the leaves during the day. When they are annoyed, they begin an erratic and short flight. Copulation starts immediately after the adult emergence.
Fertility is high with an average of 241 eggs per female and a fertility rate of almost 100%. The vast majority of eggs are laid during the first 10 days at the beginning of oviposition. Life expectancy for males is 27 days and for females is 24 days.
Tuta absoluta adult
The larvae attack the fruits and the leaves by entering inside them and feeding on the mesophyll. This produces the typical damage of a leaf miner and consequently, they wither. When the attacks are severe, the damaged leaves look burnt, which could be confused with disease.
The damage produced by Tuta absoluta to tomatoes, aubergines and potatoes causes a devastating effect on the economy.
Damage to tomato plants caused by Tuta absoluta
Damage to ripe tomatoes caused Tuta absoluta
Traps should be placed on the ground 2 or 3 weeks before planting, using 1 to 3 traps per hectare. The traps can also be set on a support for this purpose, but at a low height.
For the detection and monitoring of Tuta absoluta, the traps ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS or ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR are recommended because of their high sensitivity for capturing insects
ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR with Tuta absoluta captures
To carry out mass trapping, the number of traps per surface area should be increased, depending on location and homogeneity of the plots. A trap controls a surface area between 250 and 500 m2. This means a density of 20 to 40 traps per hectare.
For mass trapping, the following wet trap is recommended ECONEX WATER TRAP (ECO) because of its effectiveness, large capacity and low maintenance.
To obtain good control of the Tuta absoluta it is advisable to combine two methods: detection and monitoring; and mass trapping. 2 to 3 weeks before planting, 1 or 2 traps per hectare should be placed to detect the pest and observe its population levels.
With tolerance thresholds established in each area, the moment to adopt control measures, in this case mass trapping, can later be defined.
The tolerance threshold of Tuta absoluta is very low and depends on the area. In general, it is approximately 3 captures per trap and per week. When it happens, it is time for mass trapping and traps should be placed throughout the plots.
For mass trapping, it is used the ECONEX WATER TRAP (ECO). For the detection and monitoring, we recommend the ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS or ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR. In any case, the mentioned traps should be placed with a pheromone diffuser: ECONEX TUTA ABSOLUTA 0.50 MG 60 DAYS, ECONEX TUTA ABSOLUTA 0.80 MG 60 DAYS or ECONEX TUTA ABSOLUTA 1 MG 90 DAYS which are authorised for use in organic farming.
ECONEX TUTA ABSOUTA 0,50 MG 60 DAYS 1 UNIT
Sexual pheromone diffuser of the species Tuta absoluta to attract males, with a duration of 60 days in normal field conditions.
Code: UIPHOVA220
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 110/2016
ECONEX TUTA ABSOUTA 0,80 MG 60 DAYS 1 UNIT
Sexual pheromone diffuser of the species Tuta absoluta to attract males, with a duration of 60 days in normal field conditions.
Code: UIPHOVA275
ECONEX TUTA ABSOUTA 1 MG 90 DAYS 1 UNIT
Sexual pheromone diffuser of the species Tuta absoluta to attract males, with a duration of 90 days in normal field conditions.
Code: UIPHOVA328
ECONEX WATER TRAP (ECO) is made up of 2 parts: a tray of 5 cm high x 34 cm diameter with a 3.5 litre capacity and a cage to place the pheromone diffuser. In this wet trap, you have to pour water into the tray and we recommend adding a film of oil to the water to increase the captures. The pheromone diffuser is introduced into the cage which is placed in the centre of the trap
ECONEX WATER TRAP (ECO)
This trap is specifically designed for the control of Tuta absoluta.
Code: UIPFETA246
The trap ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS are activated by placing an ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR on its base. The sheet is impregnated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, solvent-free, in which the insects are trapped. The trap ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR is coated on its inner face with a layer of contact adhesive, solvent free, for the retention of the insects.
The traps will be operative until pheromone depletion or saturation of the sheet or adhesive surface. The ECONEX TUTA ABSOLUTA pheromone diffuser is placed inside the trap on the sheet or adhesive surface.
ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS
28x20x11 cm, hanger included.
Code: UIPFETA273
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 064/2014
ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR 1 UNIT PACK
Sticky sheet of 20 x 19 cm.
Code: UIPFETA248
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 048/2024
ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR
Code: UIPFETA242
The pest population, the bordering crops, the level of control required, etc….
One important factor is the size of the crop. In small and irregular crops, a greater number of traps are required than in larger and more uniform plots.
Another important factor is the distance between plots that have the same pest. In cases like this, the borders of the plots must be reinforced, so it could be necessary to place up to 40 traps per hectare or even more for mass trapping.
The diffusers must be stored in their original packaging in a cool and dry place and separated from food and drinks.
To preserve the diffusers for long periods of time, it is recommended to keep them in the refrigerator at 4 o C in which case they will last for 2 years. Or they can be kept in the freezer at -20 o C for 4 years.
ECONEX TUTA ABSOLUTA 0,50 MG 60 DAYS
Corrugated cardboard box of 400 units (20 packs of 20 units).
Box size: 0.24 x 0.32 x 0.22 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 1.5 kg.
Packs of 20 units.
Box of 400 units.
(20 packs x 20 units)
ECONEX TUTA ABSOLUTA 0,80 MG 60 DAYS
Corrugated cardboard box of 400 units (20 packs of 20 units).
Box size: 0.24 x 0.32 x 0.22 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 1.5 kg.
Packs of 20 units.
Packs of 400 units.
(20 packs x 20 units)
ECONEX TUTA ABSOLUTA 1 MG 90 DAYS
Corrugated cardboard box of 400 units (20 packs of 100 units).
Box size: 0.32 x 0.24 x 0.22 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 1.6 kg.
Packs of 20 units.
Packs of 400 units.
(20 packs x 20 units)
ECONEX WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS
Corrugated cardboard box of 150 units.
Box size: 0.40 x 0.60 x 0.35 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 10.60 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 20
Pallet size: 0.80 x 1.20 x 1.95 m (length x width x height).
Pallet weight: 222 kg.
Box of 150 units.
ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR
Corrugated cardboard box of 500 units.
Box size: 0.29 x 0.42 x 0.21 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 10.75 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 50
Pallet size: 1.00 x 1.10 x 1.25 m (length x width x height).
Pallet weight: 545 kg.
Box of 500 units.
ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR
Corrugated cardboard box of 250 units.
Box size: 0.29 x 0.42 x 0.21 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 13.10 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 50
Pallet size: 1.00 x 1.10 x 1.25 m (length x width x height).
Pallet weight: 665 kg.
Box of 250 units.
ECONEX WATER TRAP ECO
Corrugated cardboard box of 20 units.
Box size: 0.40 x 0.60 x 0.35 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 6.10 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 20
Pallet size: 0.80 x 1.20 x 1.95 m (length x width x height).
Pallet weight: 132 kg.
Box of 20 units.
ECONEX TUTA ABSOLUTA LEAFLET
Leaflet in PDF format that can be downloaded by clicking on the image.
ECONEX LEARNING CENTER
ECONEX puts at your disposal the first open knowledge center that brings together everything necessary to implement pest biocontrol in your crops. We have developed different types of resources to share with you the knowledge we have acquired during our more than 38 years of experience. Each of them is designed to respond, in the best possible way, to different questions related to pheromones, attractants, repellents and insect traps.
To access ECONEX LEARNING CENTER click on the image.
SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. only guarantees the composition, formulation and content of the products, taking responsibility for the direct, immediate and exclusive damages caused in the composition, formulation and content of the products sold. SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. will not be held responsible for damages produced by factors beyond the company’s control that have either totally or partially contributed. For instance, the weather conditions, usage or mixing with other products, amongst others. In addition, SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. will provide recommendations and information supported by extensive and meticulous research and tests; which must be taken into account by the customer when using the products. The customer will be responsible for any damage caused, in whole or in part, for the total or partial non-observance of the instructions provided. Furthermore, the customer will be responsible for all that is referred to as the performance of the products; which comes from total or partial non-observance of the instructions and information provided by the company.