Sarr O. M. auteur aut IRD Bal A. B. auteur aut IRD Fossati Odile auteur aut IRD Gauthier Nathalie auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is among the most devastating pests worldwide of solanaceous plants, particularly of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Since its recent introduction into sub-Saharan Africa, it has become an additional widespread tomato pest throughout the region. When no control measures are taken, yield losses caused by T. absoluta larvae can reach 100%. Chemical control remains the primary management option despite its many adverse effects and increasing inefficiency due to the species' endophytic habits and ability to develop insecticide resistance. Safer and more effective alternatives are therefore urgently required. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of two bioinsecticides compared to that of a widely used deltamethrin-based synthetic insecticide, in preventing damage caused by T. absoluta larvae to tomato leaves and fruits, thereby affecting tomato yield. A field trial was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in northwestern Senegal using a randomized complete block design. Damage caused by T. absoluta affected approximately 65% of total leaf area and 3-24% of the fruits. Damage to the leaves caused by other insect species or other factors was less significant. At the dose applied, the chemical insecticide did not significantly reduce the surface area of leaflets affected by T. absoluta or other causal agents, the number of T. absoluta mines on the leaflets, or the proportion of fruits damaged. In contrast, the azadirachtin and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) formulations rapidly and significantly reduced damage to both leaves and fruits. The proportion of fruits damaged was reduced by a factor two and the total tomato yield was improved, particularly when the Bt formulation was used. In addition to their effectiveness in reducing damage caused by T. absoluta larvae to tomato leaves and fruit, and increasing the yield of marketable fruits, the viability of these organic alternatives was shown. The scope of our results is discussed in the context of T. absoluta control, in particular in integrated pest management programmes for tomato crops. specialized azadirachtin Bacillus thuringiensis broad-spectrum chemical insecticide invasive insect species South American tomato pinworm Lepidoptera Gelechiidae Solanum lycopersicum tomato pest management tomato leaf and fruit damage sub-Saharan Africa Tuta absoluta SENEGAL AFRIQUE SUBSAHARIENNE 076 020 [Early access] [12 p.] 2021 0013-8703 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081287 10.1111/eea.13047 0013-8703 [F B010081287] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081287 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2021-05/010081287.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2021-05-17 2025-02-24 fdi:010081287 fre