Pest status and prevalence of Tomato moth Tuta absoluta (Meyrick 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato growing greenhouses of Mersin

Survey study was carried out in tomato greenhouses of Mersin province during autumn 2009 (september-january) and spring 2010 (february-june) in order to determine the pest status and prevalence of Tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) a new pest for Turkey. In each greenhouse randomly chosen at least 20 plants were controlled successively. Galleries drilled by T. absoluta were searched, plant was registered as infected, if larvae found. A total of 262 greenhouses from 3 locations (Adanalioglu, Kazanli and Kocahasanli) were checked weekly. No T. absoluta was recorded in any 82 greenhouses checked during Autumn 2009 season. T. absoluta was recorded for the first time on 29(th) April 2010 in a tomato greenhouse in Adanalioglu location. After that date the pest was spread out very fast and recorded in 72 of totally 88 greenhouses checked in Adanalioglu, Kazanli and Kocahasanli during Spring 2010 season. While infested plant rate was low in first week of may, than after increased in late may and early june. The higher infested tomato fruit rate per plant was recorded as 38.4 %.