First record of Tuta absoluta in Turkey
In August 2009, insect galleries were observed on the aerial parts of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) in the Urla district (Izmir province, Aegean region), in Turkey. Larvae mined galleries in apical buds, stems, leaves, and tomato fruits. In September 2009, the pest was identified as Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List). Surveys with pheromone traps were conducted in other tomato-producing regions, and the presence of T. absoluta was also detected in the Çanakkale province, Marmara region. Phytosanitary measures were applied against T. absoluta and included trapping, destruction of infested plants, and application of insecticides. This is the first report of T. absoluta in Turkey.
The situation of Tuta absoluta in Turkey can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2009 in the Aegean and Marmara regions (Izmir and Çanakkale provinces, respectively), under official control.
Sources
Kılıç T (2010) First record of Tuta absoluta in Turkey. Phytoparasitica 38(3), 243-244.