Biological characteristics and population parameters of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Lep.: Gelechiidae) on potato and tobacco plants under laboratory conditions

Tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta is one of the key and dangerous pests of solanaceae crops specifically tomato. Larva feed on leave, stem and fruit of host plant. To develop a successful IPM program, detailed information on the population parameters and life table of pests is critical. Because lack of previous studies on the population parameters of tomato leaf miner on Potato and Tobacco, the porpose of this study was determination of biological parameters and life table of the pest on Potato and Tobacco. Adult moths were collected from fields in Khuzestan province and were reared on Potato and Tobacco pots for two generations. The cohort eggs of third generation were used the expeiments. Chi theory and TWO SEX - MS Chart program were used to determine life table parameters. All trials were conducted under laboratory conditions with temperature 25±1ºC, humidity 60±5% and the light: dark 16: 8h in germinator. According to results of the study, r, λ, T, Ro and GRR for Potato and Tobacco were(0.07 and 0.065 day-1), (1.078 and 1.066 day-1), (38.70 and 35.40 day), (12.78 and 9.92 offspring) and (18.68 and 15.06 offspring) respectively. The results can be used for a successful IPM programs against the tomato leaf miner in the fields for the cultivation of solanaceae plants.