Ppt on Major Insect Pests Of Tomato And Their Management

This presentation covers the major insect pests of tomato, focusing on their identification, biology, nature of damage, and management strategies. Emphasis is placed on the economic impact, life cycles, and integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. Key pests discussed include the tomato fruit borer, serpentine leaf miner, whitefly, aphids, thrips, and red spider mite. The content is essential for understanding pest dynamics, crop protection, and sustainable tomato production. Important academic keywords include Helicoverpa armigera, integrated pest management, vector, life cycle, and economic importance.
Introduction to Tomato Pests
  • Tomato is affected by several insect pests causing significant yield losses.
  • Pests damage leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits, reducing quality and market value.
  • Effective management requires knowledge of pest identification, biology, and control methods.
  • Integrated pest management (IPM) is recommended for sustainable control.
Tomato Fruit Borer (<em>Helicoverpa armigera</em>)
Pathogen: Helicoverpa armigera (Family: Noctuidae, Order: Lepidoptera)
Economic Importance:
  • Major pest of tomato; also attacks tur, gram, and other crops.
  • Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions.
Identification:
  • Caterpillar: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
  • Moth: Stout, 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 common.
  • One larva can damage multiple fruits.
Tomato Fruit Borer – Management
  • Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
  • Intercrop tomato with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract and trap adults.
  • Plough fields post-harvest to expose and destroy pupae.
  • Install pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
  • Grow resistant varieties (e.g., Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume).
  • Spray Bacillus thuringiensis 2g/litre.
  • Release Trichogramma pretiosum or T. chilonis for egg parasitism.
  • Spray HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha for biological control.
  • Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae for predator control.
Chemical Control:
  • Azadirachtin 1% EC: 2 ml/litre
  • Indoxacarb 14.5% SC: 8 ml/10 litres
  • Flubendiamide 20 WG: 5 g/10 litres
  • Novaluron 10% EC: 7.5 ml/10 litres
  • Phosalone 35% EC: 13 ml/10 litres
  • Quinalphos 25% EC: 1 ml/litre
Serpentine Leaf Miner (<em>Liriomyza trifolii</em>)
Pathogen: Liriomyza trifolii (Family: Agromyzidae, Order: Diptera)
Identification:
  • Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, legless maggots.
  • Pupa: Yellowish-brown, found in soil or leaves.
  • Adult: Small, pale yellow flies.
Life Cycle:
  • Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
  • Larval period: 7–10 days; pupates in soil or leaves.
  • Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.
Nature of Damage:
  • Maggots 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 (<em>Tuta absoluta</em>)
Pathogen: Tuta absoluta (Family: Gelechiidae, Order: Lepidoptera)
Identification:
  • Small grey-brown moth; larvae are cream to greenish with dark head.
Nature of Damage:
  • Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits, causing blotches and galleries.
  • Fruit damage leads to secondary infections and yield loss.
Management:
  • Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
  • Remove and destroy infested plant parts.
  • Apply biologicals (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis).
  • Use selective insecticides as per recommendations.
Whitefly (<em>Bemisia tabaci</em>)
Pathogen: Bemisia tabaci (Family: Aleyrodidae, Order: Hemiptera)
Identification:
  • Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
  • Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
  • Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like insects.
Nature of Damage:
  • Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
  • Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.
Management:
  • Uproot and destroy diseased 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.
Chemical Control:
  • Dimethoate 30% EC: 1 ml/litre
  • Malathion 50% EC: 1.5 ml/litre
  • Oxydemeton-methyl 25% EC: 1 ml/litre
  • Thiamethoxam 25% WG: 4 ml/10 litres
Aphids (<em>Aphis gossypii</em>, <em>Myzus persicae</em>)
Pathogen: 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 promotes sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.
Management:
  • Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
  • Use yellow sticky traps.
  • Spray recommended systemic insecticides if needed.
Thrips (<em>Thrips tabaci</em>)
Pathogen: 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 25 EC or dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 litre/ha.
Red Spider Mite (<em>Tetranychus</em> spp.)
Pathogen: Tetranychus spp. (Family: Tetranychidae, Order: Acarina)
Identification:
  • Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
  • Nymphs: Yellowish.
  • Adults: Small, red.
Nature of Damage:
  • Leaves become reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
  • Webbing on leaves; severe infestations reduce flower and fruit set.
Management:
  • Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP @ 2 g/litre.
  • Spray dicofol 18.5 EC @ 2.5 ml/litre.
Summary: Integrated Pest Management in Tomato
  • Monitor pest populations regularly using traps and field scouting.
  • Adopt cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical control methods in combination.
  • Use resistant varieties and maintain field hygiene.
  • Apply pesticides judiciously to avoid resistance and residue problems.
  • Promote natural enemies and minimize ecological disruption.

Objective Questions

Q1. Which family does the tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera, belong to?
A. Noctuidae
B. Gelechidae
C. Agromyzidae
D. Thripidae
Answer: A

Q2. What is the recommended ratio of American tall marigold to tomato seedlings for managing tomato fruit borer?
A. 1:10
B. 1:16
C. 1:20
D. 1:25
Answer: B

Q3. Which insecticide and dose is recommended for chemical control of whitefly on tomato?
A. Indoxacarb 8 ml/10 lit
B. Dimethoate 1.0 ml/lit
C. Flubendiamide 5 g/10 lit
D. Azadirachtin 2.0 ml/lit
Answer: B

Q4. Which pest is a vector of tomato leaf curl disease?
A. Tuta absoluta
B. Bemisia tabaci
C. Liriomyza trifolii
D. Aphis gossypii
Answer: B

Q5. What is the scientific name of the serpentine leaf miner?
A. Tuta absoluta
B. Liriomyza trifolii
C. Helicoverpa armigera
D. Thrips tabaci
Answer: B

Q6. Which biological control agent is released at 1 lakh/ha for tomato fruit borer management?
A. Chrysoperla carnea
B. Trichogramma pretiosum
C. Trichogramma chilonis
D. Bacillus thuringiensis
Answer: B

Q7. Which pest's larvae are described as minute orange yellowish apodous maggots?
A. Tomato fruit borer
B. Serpentine leaf miner
C. Red spider mite
D. Aphids
Answer: B

Q8. Which chemical is recommended at 2g/lit for controlling red spider mite?
A. Dicofol 18.5 EC
B. Wettable sulphur 50 WP
C. Flubendiamide 20 WG
D. Novaluron 10% EC
Answer: B

Q9. Which pest is identified by dark coloured adults with fringed wings?
A. Aphids
B. Thrips
C. Whitefly
D. Red spider mite
Answer: B

Q10. Which pest causes silvery streaks on tomato leaf surfaces and is a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus?
A. Thrips tabaci
B. Bemisia tabaci
C. Tetranychus spp
D. Myzus persicae
Answer: A