Attraction Response of Tuta absoluta Females to Solanaceous Host in Y-Tube Olfactometer

Abstract

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (plant synomones) play a very crucial role in the communication of plantinsect relationships. The main objectives of the present study are to compare the attraction of solanaceous plant species, different tomato plant ages and infestation levels to tomato leaf miner (TLM) Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera; Gelechiidae) females. Results indicated that TLM females prefer tomato plants to other tested solanaceous species with attractiveness ratio of 83.3% compared to 76.6, 70 and 13.3% for potato, eggplant and pepper plants, respectively. Results also showed that the higher percentages of attraction were associated with the elder (45 days) tomato plants with an average of 76.67%. The attraction response of TLM females to tomato plants inside olfactometer was higher for newly infested tomato plants (NITP) than the older previously infested plants or host-plant-complex. The attractiveness to newly TLM-infested plants was recorded at 43.33%. The importance of these findings in T. absoluta management programs is discussed.