Electrophysiological response of tomato leaf miner adults, Tuta absoluta (Lep.: Gelechiidea) to some botanical repellent compounds

The tomato leafminer moth, Tuta absoluta, Myrick. (Lep.: Gelechiidea) is an important pest of cultivated tomato, Solanum lycopersicum in Iran and other countries throughout the world. This pest damages on tomato and other crops economically due to high fecundity and short generation period. Nowadays, semiochemicallybased management strategies are developing. We aimed to screen and characterize new deterrent compounds to T.absoluta. therefor, the stimulating potential of 15 botanical repellent compounds was assayed on antennal receptors of virgin and mated of both sexes using Electroantennogarame (EAG). In this test, each compound was tested in highest concentration level, 100 µg/µl, on the right antennae of both sexes, 2-4 days old in two reproductive statues, mated and virgin, with 15 replications. Electrophysiological responses showed that all of tested compounds could bind to antennal receptors of tomato leaf miner mothds. (-)-Carvone, Salicylic acid, and Methyl jasmonate were the three compounds that elicited maximum responses on mated females. As a result, these compounds can be introduced as suitable candidates for the behavioral control of T. absoluta females as well sex pheromone on males in control strategies and IPM.