Ppt on Key Insect Pests Affecting Tomato And Their Control Approaches

Introduction to Tomato Pests

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.

Tomato Fruit Borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

Scientific Name: Helicoverpa armigera
Family: Noctuidae
Order: Lepidoptera
Distribution: Widely found in tropics, subtropics, and warm temperate regions.
Economic Importance:

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).

Serpentine Leaf Miner (Liriomyza trifolii)

Scientific Name: Liriomyza trifolii
Family: Agromyzidae
Order: Diptera
Identification:

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%.

Tomato Leaf Miner (Tuta absoluta)

Scientific Name: Tuta absoluta
Family: Gelechiidae
Order: Lepidoptera
Identification:

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.

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Scientific Name: Bemisia tabaci
Family: Aleyrodidae
Order: Hemiptera
Identification:

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).

Aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae)

Scientific Names: Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae
Family: Aphididae
Order: Hemiptera
Nature of Damage:

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.

Thrips (Thrips tabaci)

Scientific Name: Thrips tabaci
Family: Thripidae
Order: Thysanoptera
Identification:

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.

Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus spp.)

Scientific Name: Tetranychus spp.
Family: Tetranychidae
Order: Acarina
Identification:

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.

Summary: Integrated Pest Management in Tomato

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.

Ppt on Key Insect Pests Affecting Tomato And Their Control Approaches

Objective Questions