Biological activity of plant protection products against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in tomato grown in greenhouses

Tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) is a dangerous pest in tomato grown in greenhouses. The control of this pest is difficult because of the latent way of life of the larvae in the mines, high reproductive potential, polyvoltine development and manifestation of resistance to great part of applied insecticides. Integrated Plant Protection programmes including a complex of measures are developed for successful control of the pest. The most frequently used practice for control on T. absoluta is still the application of chemical insecticides. During the period 2011-2012 experiments were performed for determination of the effectiveness of some insecticides in tomato variety Velocity grown in heated greenhouses. A very good biological activity towards the larvae (L1-L4) of tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta Meyrick) was established in the products Avant 150 ЕC 250 ml/ha (E=79.38% 14th day after treatment) and Coragen 20 SC 0.018% (E=79.18% 14th day after treatment).