Two promising larval parasitoids, Bracon (Habrobracon) didemie and Dolichogenidea appellator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for biological control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

Background: The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most important tomato pests that causes irreversible economic losses. Due to lack of effective control methods, chemical control is still the most preferred approach for management of the pest all over the world. Therefore, researches are mainly focused on implementing a sustainable pest control program against this pest through finding out effective natural enemies. For this purpose, a survey study was conducted to determine the larval parasitoids of T. absoluta in field-grown tomatoes in Adana, Turkey, in 2021–2022. Results: Two larval parasitoids, Bracon (Habrobracon) didemie Beyarslan and Dolichogenidea appellator (Telenga) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), were identified morphologically and molecularly. The first parasitoid populations were observed in tomato fields at the end of June and were maintained until the tomato plants were cleared (Middle of July). Throughout the survey, B. didemie was determined to be the more prevalent species than D. appellator. The highest percentage of D. appellator was found in the last week of June in 2021, at 42.8%. When the parasitoid species densities were compared, B. didemie accounted for 93.2% of the total parasitoids. Despite the intensive use of insecticides, the highest parasitoid density was achieved by B. didemie as 28 individuals per 100 leaves. Conclusions: Based on these results, it was concluded that B. didemie can be candidate as a successful biological control agent against T. absoluta in tomato field as a part of IPM programs.