Propensity of the Tomato Leafminer, Tuta absoluta(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), to Develop on Four Potato Plant Varieties

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is now considered to be one of the most damaging invasive pests of tomatoes in the world. Tomato is regarded as the main host of T. absoluta, but the pest can also feed, develop and reproduce on other cultivated Solanaceae, such as potato (Solanum tuberosumL). In the present study, we examined the ability of T. absolutato develop on four commonly cultivated varieties of potato, under laboratory conditions. The survival rate of T. absolutadid not differ between the five tested host plants (tomato: Solanum lycopersicumcv. Moneymaker; and potato: Solanum tuberosumcv. Spunta, Charlotte, Nicola, and Bintje), but its development time (egg to pupation) was significantly affected. Compared to tomato, development times were longer on Bintje and shorter on Nicola, Charlotte, and Spunta. These results show the high capacity of T. absolutato develop on potato crops.