First report of Tuta absoluta in Tajikistan
Following the detection of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List) in Kyrgyzstan in 2016 (EPPO RS 2017/161) and Uzbekistan*, a rapid survey was initiated in Tajikistan to verify the possible presence of the pest. Four locations in the Khatlon and Republican Subordination regions were surveyed for the presence of the pest between March and June 2016. As a result, T. absoluta was found in glasshouse and field tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crops in all surveyed locations. Leaf damage, although lower at the beginning of the growing season, gradually rose to 15-30% in surveyed sites. Fruit damage also gradually increased during the growing season reaching up to 20% at some locations. It is considered that T. absoluta is established in Tajikistan and that appropriate integrated pest management strategies are needed to reduce its incidence.
The situation of Tuta absoluta in Tajikistan can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (first found in 2016 in 4 locations).
___________
* The presence of T. absoluta in Uzbekistan was confirmed at the symposium ‘Global Spread and Management of the South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta’ (Orlando, US, 2016-11-27) (Fayed & Adiga, 2017).
Sources
Saidov N, Srinivasan R, Mavlyanova R, Qurbono Z (2018) First report of invasive South American tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Tajikistan. Florida Entomologist 101(1), 147-149. http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.1653/024.101.0129
Fayed A, Adiga A (2017) Monitoring the spread and management of Tuta absoluta. Current Science 113(5), 844-845.