ORIGINE, DIFFUSIONE E VALENZA FITOSANITARIA DELLA TIGNOLA DEL POMODORO, TUTA ABSOLUTA (MEYRICK)

In the context of alien species which are invading Europe and the Mediterranean basin with increasingly higher frequency, the Tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), takes on major importance for its harmfulness to the aerial organs of plants, resulting in substantial reductions of the product and leading to significant economic losses. The insect, of South American origin, appeared for the first time in the Mediterranean Region in 2006 and in a period of about five years it has spread very rapidly in all coastal areas of the basin as well as in Europe, in North Africa and the Middle East, probably facilitated by passive transports mainly caused by the trading of infested tomato fruits. Its invasiveness and the speed with which this insect is able to expand its presence in new territories leave now to predict its forthcoming spread to other major tomato-producing countries, with serious economic consequences.