Research on interaction of sustainable control methods against Tuta absoluta

The use of natural enemies, such as predators and parasitoids, to control insect pests is often combined with other sustainable control methods as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. This study aims to use the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) as a model system to investigate potential positive and negative effects, which may result from the interaction among those control strategies. The high relevance of the species as an invasive pest in Europe, Africa and Asia, the delimitation to the tomato crop system and the increasing resistance problems with many insecticides make T. absoluta a particularly suitable study system. The study aims to (i) collect information and identify data gaps on alternative control methods for T. absoluta and their potential interactions with natural enemies and compile findings into a review article; (ii) investigate the effect of host plant resistance on T. absoluta and its parasitoids Trichogramma achaea and Necremnus tutae and the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus in an experimental study using bioassays and chemical analyses of plant compounds; and (iii) develop a framework for the interaction of different control methods and translate it into a population model. The findings will help to improve the sustainable management of T. absoluta and provide knowledge on the interaction effects within alternative control methods, an important information for the success of integrated pest management programs in general.