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tomato leafminer
Symptoms of Infestation
The tomato leafminer is a pest that harms tomato growth throughout the season by destroying leaves, thereby preventing the plant from producing energy through photosynthesis. This causes the plant to weaken gradually until it wilts and dies.
Initial symptoms on leaves appear as transparent tunnels, which expand as the larvae grow and feed aggressively, forming irregularly shaped blotches. The larvae remain inside these mines, along with small scattered dark fecal pellets. In severe infestations, the larvae consume all leaf tissue, leaving only the veins, and the leaves die completely. The larvae can also bore into tender branches and stems, particularly at the junction between the petiole and leaf base.
The larvae attack ripe fruits before coloration begins, creating tunnels under the fruit neck or within the fruit body, leaving behind significant waste that exposes the fruit to fungal and saprophytic bacterial infections, leading to fruit rot.
Pre-Planting Prevention and Control Mechanism
Implementing a crop rotation system free of Solanaceae crops, ensuring that no Solanaceae crop follows tomatoes in succession to prevent continuous availability of a suitable host for the pest.
Properly disposing of previous crop residues and weeds, especially Solanaceae species such as Datura and Solanum nigrum, which may harbor pest life stages. This aims to eliminate these stages and prevent their spread to other areas.
Treating the soil with an appropriate pesticide to eliminate pupae hiding within it.
Leaving the greenhouse vacant for two weeks while raising its temperature to 35°C.
Producing seedlings in pest-free greenhouses or isolated areas.
Installing sticky traps in nurseries to confirm absence of the pest.
Using attractant traps for monitoring at least two weeks before planting in greenhouses.
Prevention and Control Mechanism During and After Planting.
Planting tomatoes at appropriate times and avoiding periods of peak pest activity.
Selecting high-quality, certified tomato varieties.
Ensuring seedlings are free from leafminer infestation or other pests such as whiteflies or mites, and protecting seedlings during transport.
Applying a balanced irrigation and fertilization regimen throughout the growing season.
Isolating greenhouses by installing mesh screens at entrances and ventilation openings to prevent pest entry.
Continuously monitoring plant health and promptly removing any infested parts.
Ensuring greenhouses are free of holes and gaps, and properly sealed, with adequate ventilation to limit disease spread.
Installing double doors where possible, with opposing openings to prevent easy entry paths for the pest.
Prohibiting workers from moving between greenhouses, especially when some are infested.
Covering and wrapping fruits in sorting and packing areas, and avoiding leaving them uncovered during dusk or at night to prevent the pest, if present in any infested fruits, from emerging. It is also essential to transport and distribute the fruits as quickly as possible.