Phthorimaea absoluta (formerly Tuta absoluta)
(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Abbreviation: N/A
Tomato leafminer is present in: Peru, but is known from many countries in South America, the European Union, Africa, Asia, as well as Costa Rica and Panama. It has recently been found in Haiti.
Present in: Afghanistan, Africa (except Mauritius and Madagascar) Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Azores (Portugal), Bahrain, Balearic Islands (Spain), Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bermuda (U.K), Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canary Islands (Spain), Cape Verde, Cayman Islands (U.K), Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland , France, Gambia, The, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guernsey, Guinea, GuineaBissau, Haiti, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mayotte, Montenegro, Montserrat (U.K), Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Orkney Islands (U.K), Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal , Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Scotland Wales (U.K), Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom , Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, West Bank (Palestinian Authority), Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Tomato leafminer is a pest of the following plants: poses a major economic threat to the tomato industry. It is a major pest of both field- and greenhouse-grown tomatoes and can be found on the fruits, leaves, and stems. Though the pest may also attack other solanaceous crops, such as potatoes (leaves and tubers) and eggplants (leaves), the concern is focused mainly on shipments of tomatoes because of the high volume of this product and the pest’s internal feeding habits.
Evidence of tomato leafminer damage includes: direct damage is caused by the larvae mining the leaf tissue, leading to desiccation, premature leaf-fall, and cosmetic damage. In (sub-)tropical areas this can lead to burning in fruit such as tomato and melon. Loss of leaves also reduces yield. In full-grown plants of fruiting vegetable crops, however, a considerable quantity of foliage can get damaged before the harvest is affected.
The older larvae make wider tunnels. Feeding spots made by adult females can also reduce yield, although except with ornamental crops, this is usually of less significance. Seedlings and young plants can be completely destroyed as a result of the direct damage caused by leafminers.
Indirect damage arises when disease causing fungi or bacteria enter the plant tissue via the feeding spots.
CBP Agriculture Specialists, please refer to manuals for general inspection guidelines. When performing inspections, inspect tomato shipments for any signs of tomato leafminer damage. The fruit, calyx, stems, and/or leaves may have eggs and larvae. If the suspect pest is found, submit it to an identifier.
PPQ has the tools to identify adult and larval tomato leafminer to species. All larvae intercepted on tomatoes should be forwarded to an identifier for authoritative ID.
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