Tomato leaf miner traps / Tuta absoluta

Description

Known as tuta absoluta, these are the most damaging insect pest of tomatoes. At Agape, we have
traps that control them. It is best to place traps for the first time at least 1 month before harvest and
maintain traps between cropping cycles. Trapping during the postharvest period is important. During the
post-harvest period many males emerge from drying plants and the soil and their capture lowers pest
pressure for the next crop cycle
 For detection surveys, place 1-2 traps in each [high risk] area.
 For monitoring surveys, traps are placed at a density of 2-3 traps per hectare (1 trap per acre)
for open fields.
 For mass trapping15-45 traps would be for enclosed greenhouse areas,10-20 traps for open
fields
 Traps should be hung as low as practically possible to be close to the tomato related product.
Tuta absoluta does not fly very high and therefore trap height should not be higher than 1-2 ft
over the tomato or related product.
 Traps are more effective when placed near open product rather than packaged product Trap
data and interpretation Collect date weekly from the start of the flight of the over wintering
generation. During the height of the population more frequent reading may be needed.
 Decisions on pesticide application should not be taken solely on the trap catch data. Climatic
and biological considerations should be taken in account.
 Lures can be changed every 4-6 weeks to get the most accurate results. Lures handling
Pheromone lures are very sensitive tool.
 They can be affected by exposure to elevated heat and direct sunshine. Direct touching by hand
may cause cross contamination leading to mixed catches in the trap.
 Some contaminants such as Nicotine may have repellent effect reducing trap catch. Lure
Storage Cool dry place.
 Shelf life can vary from 3-36 months depending on the storage temperature.