Tuta

Tuta is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae. The genus includes several species, the most notable being Tuta absoluta, commonly known as the tomato leafminer or tomato moth. Tuta absoluta is a significant agricultural pest, particularly of tomato crops, and has become invasive in many regions outside its native range.

Description and biology: Adults are tiny moths with narrow wings, typically brown or gray with darker markings; wingspan generally around 6–10 mm. Larvae are pale green to yellowish and are leaf miners in the early instars, later feeding inside leaves, stems, and fruits. The life cycle proceeds from eggs laid on plant surfaces to larval mining, followed by pupation in plant tissue or concealed environments. Under favorable warm conditions, multiple generations can occur per year, allowing rapid population growth.

Distribution and hosts: Tuta absoluta is native to the western South American region but has spread widely, causing major damage in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Its primary host is cultivated tomato, though it can infest other solanaceous crops such as eggplant and pepper and may affect related wild species.

Impact and management: The species is a major cause of yield loss and fruit quality degradation in tomato crops due to extensive leaf and fruit damage. Management typically employs integrated pest management strategies, including pheromone-based monitoring and mating disruption, removal and destruction of infested plant material, cultural controls, and biological or chemical controls. Biological options include parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi, used alone or in combination with conventional insecticides, while resistance management and quarantine measures are important in preventing spread.

See also: leaf miner, Gelechiidae, tomato.