A First Report on Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Arunachal Pradesh.
Reported by:- Kangabam Suraj Singh+, H. Kalita* and C.S. Raghav+
+ ICAR-KVK West Siang, ICAR Complex, Basar
* ICAR RC for NEH Region Arunachal Pradesh Centre, BasarInvasive pest tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) which is native of Peru is first recorded in India from Karnataka and Maharastra in 2014. Recently a team comprises Dr. H. Kalita PS, Entomology and Joint Director, ICAR RC for NEH Region AP centre, Dr. C.S. Raghav Senior Scientist and Head KVK West Siang and Dr. Kangabam Suraj Singh, SMS-Plant Protection has recorded the pest in the protected cultivation of Mr. Kenmar Basar, Basar, Leparada District of Arunachal Pradesh on 14th June, 2019. Tomato leaf miner is considered as a pest of major economic importance in several countries. Its primary host is tomato, potato, brinjal. The pest has high adaptability to climatic conditions and has the potential to spread fast and a female may lay up to 300 eggs and 10-12 generations can be produced each year. The adults are silvery brown 5-7mm long. The total life cycle is completed in an average of 24-38 days with the exception of winter. In tomato it can attack any plant part at any crop stage and can cause up to 100% crop damaged, however the larvae prefer apical buds, lender new leaflets, flowers and green fruits. Infestation of tomato plant occurs throughout the entire crop cycle. Feeding damages caused by all larval instars and throughout the whole plant. The infested protected cultivation structure was sanitized with recommended control measures for prevention from further spread.
