First report of Tuta absoluta in Croatia
In Croatia, the presence of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List) was recorded for the first time at the end of 2009 in hydroponic production of cherry tomatoes. Pheromone traps were placed at a production site in Turanj (Zadarska county) which was suspected to be infested by T. absoluta due to the symptoms observed.
Following this first finding, a specific survey program for T. absoluta was carried out in 2010 in 19 glasshouse tomato production sites located in 8 counties (Grad Zagreb, Krapinsko-zagorska, Varaždinska, Međimurska, Istarska, Zadarska, Splitsko-dalmatinska and Dubrovačko-neretvanska) in order to determine the distribution of the pest. This survey included visual inspections and the use of pheromone traps. Signs of infestation were recorded at all inspected locations, and the subsequent observation in the laboratory of insect specimens caught in the pheromone traps confirmed the occurrence of T. absoluta. The species was identified on the basis of morphological characteristics of adult males in 17, out of the 21 collected pheromone traps, at 16 production sites located in 6 counties (Varaždinska, Međimurska, Istarska, Zadarska, Splitsko-dalmatinska and Dubrovačko-neretvanska). The identification was officially confirmed by the Agricultural and Forestry Institute (‘Kmetijsko gozdarski zavod’) in Nova Gorica, Slovenia.
The control of T. absoluta was carried out within the regular tomato protection program using plant protection products. In addition, growers were informed about the damage caused by T. absoluta and the measures which should be undertaken to prevent or slow down its further spread.
The pest status of Tuta absoluta in Croatia is officially declared as: Present, first found in 2009, new findings in Varaždinska, Međimurska, Istarska, Zadarska, Splitsko-dalmatinska and Dubrovačko-neretvanska counties, under official control.
Sources
NPPO of Croatia (2011-11).