Surveillance and population buildup studies of invasive tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Survey carried out at two locations under low and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh revealed that Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) infestation in tomato was high at Sundernagar under both protected as well as field conditions compared to Palampur region. The per cent leaf infestation and fruit damage varied from 8.73 (open conditions) to 45.70 per cent (protected conditions) and 4.40 (open conditions) to 21.94 per cent (protected conditions), respectively, at the two locations. The leaf infestation (%) and live mines had positive and significant correlation with minimum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Fruit infestation had a positive and significant correlation with maximum relative humidity and rainfall. Trap catches under open field conditions showed negative non-significant correlation with minimum, maximum temperature, maximum relative humidity and rainfall. The adult trap catch under protected conditions, however, showed a significant positive correlation with live mines and blotches at Palampur.