Susceptibility of eggs and larvae of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) to some insecticides

Use of pesticides as an important part of integrated pest management programs has principal role in control of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). Therefore, evaluating the efficacy of insecticides and introducing new effective compounds are important for management of this pest. Eggs and 2nd instar larvae of tomato leafminer are the main stages exposed to insecticide sprayings. This study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of eggs and 2nd instar larvae of T. absoluta to five insecticides. LC50 values obtained for spinosad, chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb, abamectin, and zeta-cypermethrin for 2nd instar larvae were 0.08, 0.09, 10.8, 0.29 and 232.2 mg ai/L respectively. The eggs were treated with LC50s of these insecticides for 2nd instar larvae to assess their ovi-larvicidal effects. Mortality of the egg/neonates in chlorantraniliprole, spinosad, indoxacarb, abamectin, zeta-cypermethrin treatments and control were 88.8, 76.8, 58.1, 35, 50.5 and 14.6 %, respectively. The results revealed that spinosadand chlorantraniliprole had strong ovicidal and larvicidal activities; and if perform equally well in large scale greenhouse and field conditions, they may be considered in T. absoluta management programs.