Ppt on Major Insect Pests Of Tomato And Their Management

Introduction to Tomato Pests

Tomato is affected by several insect pests causing significant yield loss.
Pests attack various plant parts: leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
Effective management requires correct identification and integrated approaches.

Tomato Fruit Borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

Scientific Name: Helicoverpa armigera
Family: Noctuidae
Order: Lepidoptera
Distribution: Tropics, subtropics, and warmer temperate regions.
Identification:

Caterpillar: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish-brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

Tomato Fruit Borer – Biology and Damage

Life Cycle:

Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
Larval stage: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
Complete life cycle: ~30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
Bores circular holes, feeds inside fruit, causing rot by secondary infection.
One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

Tomato Fruit Borer – Management

Cultural Control:

Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract egg-laying adults.
Grow resistant varieties (e.g., Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume).

Biological Control:

Release Trichogramma pretiosum or T. chilonis (egg parasitoids).
Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (predator).
Spray Bacillus thuringiensis or Helicoverpa NPV.

Chemical Control:

Use pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
Recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per label rates).

Serpentine Leaf Miner (Liriomyza trifolii)

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

Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
Adult: Small, pale yellow fly.

Life Cycle:

Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
Larval period: 7–10 days; pupation in soil or leaves.
Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

Nature of Damage:

Larvae mine between leaf epidermis, creating serpentine trails.
Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

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

Tomato Leaf Miner (Tuta absoluta)

Scientific Name: Tuta absoluta
Family: Gelechiidae
Order: Lepidoptera
Nature of Damage:

Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits.
Causes leaf necrosis, fruit damage, and yield loss.

Management:

Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
Remove and destroy infested plant parts.
Apply biological agents (Trichogramma, Bacillus thuringiensis).
Use recommended insecticides judiciously.

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 or recommended insecticides (dimethoate, malathion, thiamethoxam).

Aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae)

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

Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing, deformation, and drying.
Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

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

Thrips (Thrips tabaci)

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

Nymphs: Yellowish.
Adults: Dark, fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
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, bronzed, and dry.
Webbing on leaves; severe infestation affects flowering and fruiting.

Management:

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

Summary: Integrated Pest Management in Tomato

Correct pest identification is essential for effective management.
Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for sustainable control.
Monitor pest populations using traps and field scouting.
Use resistant varieties and maintain field hygiene.
Apply insecticides judiciously to avoid resistance and protect beneficial organisms.

Ppt on Major Insect Pests Of Tomato And Their Management – Advanced Notes

Objective Questions