Development of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on spontaneous plant species

Abstract

The tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major insect pest in tomato cultivation (Solanum lycopersicum L.), which can cause losses of up to 100% in production. This study aimed to assess the development of T. absoluta in different spontaneous plant species and the insecticidal effects of plant species in which T. absoluta does not develop. Nine species of spontaneously growing plants were studied: Ipomoea purpurea, Commelina benghalensis, Amaranthus viridis, Bidens pilosa, Solanum viarum, Richardia brasiliensis, Cenchrus echinatus, Conyza bonariensis, and Solanum americanum. The larval and pupal survival, attractiveness for oviposition, feeding, and leaf area consumed by T. absoluta were greater for S. americanum, S. viarum, and I. purpurea. Thus, these species can be considered host plants for T. absoluta, given that the pest has completed its life cycle, and serve as a green bridge for insect maintenance during the tomato cultivation off-season. C. benghalensis, A. viridis, B. pilosa, R. brasiliensis, C. echinatus, and C. bonariensis exhibited deleterious effects on T. absoluta as they did not host or support development in these plants. The essential oil extracted from C. bonariensis was effective at reducing the egg viability (at a concentration of 0.10%) and causing caterpillar mortality (at concentrations of 0.10%, 0.07%, 0.04%, and 0.01%) of T. absoluta. This indicates the potential of the essential oil from C. bonariensis for managing this pest, both at the egg and caterpillar stages.