Ppt on Key Insect Pests Affecting Tomato And Their Control Approaches

• Tomato is susceptible to several major insect pests causing significant yield losses.
• Pests affect all growth stages, from seedlings to fruiting plants.
• Effective management requires understanding pest biology and integrated control methods.

• Major pest of tomato, also attacks tur and gram.

Identification:

• Caterpillars: Variable color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings smoky white with black border.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval period: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: 30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae bore circular holes in fruits, feed on inner contents.
• Secondary infection by fungi and bacteria.
• One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

Management:

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract pests.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Install pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Grow resistant varieties (Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume).
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/lit).
• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea as biocontrol agents.
• Spray HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha for biological control.
• Chemical options: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per recommended doses).

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Pupa: Yellowish brown, found in soil or leaves.
• Adult: Pale yellow, small fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; total cycle ~3 weeks.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Small greyish moth; larvae are cream to greenish with dark head.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits, causing blotches and fruit damage.
• Can cause up to 80–100% yield loss if unmanaged.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
• Remove and destroy infested plant parts.
• Release natural enemies (Trichogramma spp., Nesidiocoris tenuis).
• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis or selective insecticides as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3% G @ 40 kg/ha or recommended insecticides (Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam).

• Nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves and stems.
• Plants turn yellow, become deformed, and may dry up.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.
• Spray recommended systemic insecticides if needed.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark with fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, premature flower drop, bud necrosis.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown and bronzy.
• Webbing on leaves; severe cases cause leaf drying and reduced fruit set.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2g/lit).
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/lit) if needed.

• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for effective pest control.
• Monitor fields regularly for early pest detection.
• Promote use of resistant varieties and natural enemies.
• Minimize pesticide use to delay resistance and protect beneficial organisms.