Surveying for Natural Enemies of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Selected Parts of Zambia
Charles Mwamba *
Kasisi Agricultural Training Center, P.O.Box 30652, Lusaka, Zambia and Department of Plant Science, The University of Zambia, P.O.Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
Philemon H. Sohati
Department of Plant Science, The University of Zambia, P.O.Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
Langa Tembo
Department of Plant Science, The University of Zambia, P.O.Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
Paul W. Kachapulula
Department of Plant Science, The University of Zambia, P.O.Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a major pest of tomato for both greenhouse and field-grown. In Zambia, it was first reported in 2016 and has since caused far huge damage to the crop. Several interventions were embarked on ranging from the use of neem but chemicals have been mainly used to control the pest. The purpose of our research was to survey and identify indigenous natural enemies for T. absoluta associated with tomato in the central and Lusaka provinces of Zambia. Surveys were conducted in both in the rainy and dry seasons of 2019 in five sites and potential natural enemies collected were sent to CABI Plantwise laboratory for identification. A predatory species from the family of Miridae was found and its DNA 100% matched Nesidiocoris Tenuis (Reuter) and was later collected for rearing at the University of Zambia Insectaria. This species is reported for the first time on T. absoluta in Zambia. Nesidiocoris tenuis identification will provide a scientific basis for biological control of T. absoluta.
Keywords: Tuta absoluta, natural enemies, biological control, nesidiocoris tenuis, surveying