EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 02 - 2012 Num. article: 2012/029

First report of Tuta absoluta in Panama


In Panama, the presence of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List) was reported for the first time in February 2011. The pest was detected near Río Sereno (Renacimiento district, Chiriquí province), near the border with Costa Rica. Surveys have been initiated in the major tomato-growing regions (i.e. provinces of Veraguas, Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos, Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí). T. absoluta was later found in several other localities of the province of Chiriquí (Renacimiento, Cordillera, Potrerillos, Boquete and Gualaca). Control strategies are being studied in order to limit the spread of the pest and its impact on tomato crops.
The situation of the Tuta absoluta in Panama can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2011 in the province of Chiriquí, under official control.

Sources

INTERNET
República de Panamá. Ministerio de desarrollo agropecuario. Noticias.
- Detectan plaga de polilla en el tomato (2011-02-10). http://190.34.208.123/MIDA/index.php?option=com_content;view=article;id=1124
- Técnicos del MIDA orientan a productores de CAISAN en al manejo de la polilla del tomate (2011-03-09). http://190.34.208.123/MIDA/index.php?option=com_content;view=article;id=1157