Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a serious pest of tomato throughout the world. The life history and the life table parameters of T. absoluta were studied on 12 different commercial tomato cultivars. The longest larval developmental period (12.92 ± 0.11 days), the longest total developmental time (26.20 ± 0.22 days), the longest total pre-oviposition period (29.31 ± 0.63 days) and the shortest oviposition period (5.08 ± 0.43 days) were recorded on Korral cultivar. The highest pupal mortality was found on Korral (23.53%) and the lowest larval and pupal growth indices were observed on Korral (6.57and 8.87, respectively). The highest and the lowest overall mortalities were observed on Korral (35.00%) and on Valouro (21.67%), respectively. The lowest and the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r m) were found on Korral (0.1046 ± 0.0005 day-1) and on Valouro (0.1584 ± 0.0002 day-1) cultivars. Also the lowest finite rate of increase (λ) (1.1102 day-1) and the highest doubling time (6.63 days) of the tomato leafminer were observed on Korral cultivar. Therefore, it was concluded that among the 12 tomato cultivars that were studied in this research, Korral was relatively unsuitable to T. absoluta and can be used in the integrated control programs (IPM) of this pest.

The damage caused by the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) to 12 tomato cultivars was investigated under greenhouse conditions. The 2 cultivars Korral and CH Falat experienced lower damage in terms of all parameters investigated, whereas the cultivars Valouro and Cal JN3 were categorized as the most susceptible host plants. The larvae feeding on CH Falat and Korral cultivars reached the lowest final weight (1.82 and 1.93 mg, respectively), whereas those reared on the Valouro and Cal JN3 cultivars reached the highest body weight (3.42 and 3.33 mg, respectively). The highest proteolytic and amylolytic activity was detected in larvae feeding on the Korral cultivar, whereas larvae reared on the Valouro cultivar had the lowest enzyme activity for both third and fourth instar larvae. Altogether, the Korral and CH Falat cultivars were classified as relatively resistant cultivars, whereas the 2 cultivars Valouro and Cal JN3 were categorized as highly susceptible to infection by T. absoluta. Therefore, the resistant cultivars can be considered as candidates for use in integrated management programs of the tomato leaf miner in Iran.

The whitefly, Aleuroclava jasmini (Takahashi) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an important pest on paper mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. (Moraceae) plants in green spaces of Tehran, Iran. The predator mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot is one of the most common species found in paper mulberry landscape and it is a major biological control agent of this pest. Knowledge of the impact of insecticides on predatory mites is crucial for integrated management programs of this whitefly. This study assessed, under laboratory conditions, the sublethal effect of acetamiprid on the life table parameters of A. swirskii fed on A. jasmini. The sublethal concentrations LC10, LC20 and LC30 were obtained based on a dose-effect test. Exposure to the sublethal concentrations of acetamiprid had significant effects on the total immature periods of both males and females. The total fecundity and oviposition period decreased with an increase in concentration. The estimated life table parameters indicated that sublethal concentrations of acetamiprid caused greater reduction in r, λ and R0 of A. swirskii compared to the control. Therefore, the use of acetamiprid to control of A. jasmini may have serious implications for integrated pest management programs that aimed at exploiting A. swirskii biological control in paper mulberry landscape.