Effective control of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria pseudobassiana Rehner & Humber in commercial high-arched plastic tunnels
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a highly invasive pest that causes significant damages to tomato crops globally. Its resistance to commonly used chemical insecticides has made management increasingly difficult, prompting the need for sustainable, effective alternatives. This study investigated the efficacy of a Lebanese isolate of Beauveria pseudobassiana as a biological control agent against T. absoluta , compared its performance to Bacillus thuringiensis and conventional pesticide mixtures under both controlled, commercial production conditions Results Three preliminary cage experiments were conducted under controlled infestation conditions using larvae reared from field-collected adults. Conidial suspensions of B. pseudobassiana were applied following standard protocols. The fungal treatment achieved a 90.7% mortality rate at 20 °C, closely matching B. thuringiensis (85.4%), and reached 100% mortality at 14 °C. Subsequently, two field trials were carried out in commercial high-arched plastic tunnels under natural infestation. In these trials, B. pseudobassiana and B. thuringiensis significantly reduced leaf mine incidence, with control levels comparable to or exceeding those achieved by calendar-based chemical sprays. In fall production, B. pseudobassiana reduced leaf mines to 1.9 mines/leaf by week 11, outperforming chemical pesticides (3.6 mines/leaf) and performing similarly to B. thuringiensis (2.6 mines/leaf). In summer production, B. pseudobassiana maintained strong efficacy, resulting in 2.3 and 2.1 mines/leaf at weeks 3 and 4, respectively, compared to 3.1 and 5.8 mines/leaf for B. thuringiensis . Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate the high efficacy of B. pseudobassiana in commercial tomato production, offering broader control than B. thuringiensis . These findings conclude that B. pseudobassiana is a viable alternative or complementary agent to B. thuringiensis in integrated pest management programs, supporting more sustainable tomato production, reduced insecticide use, and improved worker safety.
Institutions: American University of Beirut, Chapman University
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,190
OpenAlex ID: W4415687284