Author/Authors :
Ardeh, Mohammad Javad Department of Entomology - Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP) - Tehran, Iran , Kheirkhah, Tahere Department of Plant Protection - Faculty of Agriculture - University of Zanjan - Zanjan, Iran , Askari Seyahooei, Majeed Plant Protection Research Department - Hormozgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center - Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) - Bandar Abbas, Iran
Abstract :
Tomato leafminer moth Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is an important pest
of the tomato plant. Light traps can play an influential role in reducing the pest
population. Different light colors, three trap sizes, and three installation heights
were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The light colors were white, yellow,
green, red, blue, and blacklight blue (BLB). The traps, transparent containers of
three sizes were 8.5, 10.5, and 14.5 cm in diameter and 15, 19, and 26 cm in
height, respectively. The trap installation heights were 50, 75, and 100 cm above
the plants’ canopy. The BLB color proved significantly more attractive to T.
absoluta, followed by yellow and white colors. The light traps captured more
males than females and more mated females than virgin ones. Both of the larger
traps (10.5 cm d × 19 cm h and 14.5 cm d × 26 cm h), and higher installed ones
(100 cm and 75 cm above the plants), captured a significantly higher number of
moths compared to the smaller trap size and lower installation height.
Accordingly, for mass trapping of moths, light traps with BLB source of light,
with 10.5 cm in diameters and 19 cm in height, and installation at 75 cm above
the canopy is recommended in greenhouses.
Keywords :
Tomato leafminer , non-chemical control , BLB light , insect trapping , greenhouses
