First report of Tuta absoluta in Spain
In Spain, the presence of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A1 List) was noted for the first time at the end of 2006 on tomato crops in the province of Castellón (Comunidad Valenciana). In 2007, T. absoluta was detected in several places along the Mediterranean coast in the province of Valencia (Comunidad Valenciana) where it caused severe damage. Up to 100% losses have been observed in tomato crops planted during winter in the province of Valencia. The pest was also detected on the island of Ibiza (Baleares). The severity of damage to tomato crops and the pest’s potential for further spread are raising serious concern among tomato growers in Spain.
The situation of Tuta absoluta in Spain can be described as follows: Present, first recorded in 2006, damaging tomato crops in Comunidad Valenciana (Castellón, Valencia) and Islas Baleares (Ibiza).
Note: T. absoluta is a pest of South American origin which is recorded in: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Until this first record in Spain, it was absent from the EPPO region. Its main host plant is tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) but it can also attack aubergine (Solanum melongena), potato (S. tuberosum), pepino (S. muricatum) and solanaceous weeds (Datura stramonium, Lycium chilense and S. nigrum).
Sources
Urbaneja A, Vercher R, Navarro V, García Marí F, Porcuna JL (2007) La polilla del tomate, Tuta absoluta. Phytoma-España no. 194, 16-23.
INTERNET (last retrieved in 2008-01)
Butlletí Oficial de les Illes Balears. 6 d’octubre de 2007 Fascicle I de 2 Núm. 150. http://boib.caib.es/pdf/2007150/mp1.pdf
FreshPlaza: Noticias del sector de frutas y verduras.
España: alertan que la campaña de tomate valenciano peligra por la plaga Tuta absoluta. http://www.freshplaza.es/news_detail.asp?id=2288
España: Agricultura establece las medidas para combatir en 2008 la plaga de la polilla del tomate en la Comunitat Valenciana. http://www.freshplaza.es/news_detail.asp?id=2735
Gobierno del principado de Asturias. http://www.asturias.es/Asturias/descargas/Documentos
Diario de Ibiza
El Consell Insular inicia un tratamiento de choque contra la plaga del tomate. http://www.diariodeibiza.es/secciones/noticia.jsp?pRef=3162_2_184017__Local-Consell-Insular-inicia-tratamiento-choque-contra-plaga-tomate
Detectado un foco de una plaga que afecta a las tomateras en una finca en Son Ferriol. http://www.diariodemallorca.es/secciones/noticia.jsp?pRef=1639_2_289082__Mallorca-Detectado-foco-plaga-afecta-tomateras-finca-Ferriol