Development, reproduction, and distribution of the South American tomato moth (Tuta absoluta Meyr.) in Ukraine

• Published in: Ukrainian journal of ecology 2021-01, Vol.11 (1), p.409-414
• Main Authors: Bilousova, T V, Humeniuk, L V, Dolya, M M, Drozd, P Yu, Stankevych, S V, Zabrodina, I V, Matsyura, A V, Nemerytska, L V, Zhuravska, I A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acclimatization; Agricultural practices; Air temperature; Autumn; Biology; Butterflies & moths; Colonization; Consumer protection; Crop rotation; Cultivated plants; Cultivation; Ecological distribution; Ecology; Farms; Fruit cultivation; Geographical distribution; Globalization; Greenhouses; Indicators; Insecticides; Localization; Niches; Organogenesis; Pests; Population density; Population levels; Quarantine; Reproduction; Species; Steppes; Survival; Tomatoes; Tuta absoluta; Weather; Yields
• ISSN: 2520-2138
• DOI: 10.15421/2021_59

Under current tomato cultivation conditions, measures aimed at preventing the development, reproduction, and distribution of the quarantine species of the South American tomato moth Tuta absoluta Meyr. in the steppe of Ukraine have been studied. Regional indicators on the distribution and peculiarities of biology and ecology of the South American tomato moth are estimated, both in importing tomatoes to Ukraine and in the use of modern technologies, mainly the range of insecticides, taking into account the organogenesis of cultivated plants. It specified the areas of new territories of moth reproduction by seasonal monitoring of the quarantine pest species development, considering the impact of globalization processes, changes in weather and climatic factors, and new ecosystems. We have determined biology and ecology indicators that affect the pest's acclimatization and occupation of new ecological niches in the structure of local species that affect tomatoes' yield and quality. Simultaneously, we have determined predictors for predicting the South American tomato moth's development and reproduction under the modern effectiveness of phytophage control measures at the species and population levels. The resistance of individual tomato varieties to Tuta absoluta was studied. The guidelines for determining the degree of phytophage colonization of tomatoes at the main stages of yield formation in vegetable crop rotations under relatively long reproduction and survival and a high pest population in the research region were developed. We have noted the importance of assessing the impact of rising air temperature on the duration of the autumn period of tomato growth and development and changes in moths' ecological optimum and pest spread in individual farms of the steppe zone. According to the population density indicators of this species, it was specified the mechanisms of tomato entomological community formation, taking into account the first years of localization of the South American moth foci. We have specified quarantine measures of phytophage control, both by the South American tomato moth phenology levels and the impact of agricultural background and weather fluctuations on moths number of generations, number, and survival rate these pests in the Ukrainian Steppe.