Exploring the Mechanisms of the Spatiotemporal Invasion of Tuta absoluta in Asia

Abstract

International crop exchange always brings the risk of introducing pests to countries where they are not yet present. The invasive pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick 1917), after taking just a decade (2008–2017) to invade the entire Africa continent, is now continuing its expansion in Asia. From its first detection in Turkey (2009), the pest has extended its range of invasion at a very high speed of progression to the southeast part of Asia. This study adopted the cellular automata modelling method used to successfully predict the spatiotemporal invasion of T. absoluta in Africa to find out if the invasive pest is propagating with a similar pattern of spread in Asia. Using land cover vegetation, temperature, relative humidity and the natural flight ability of Tuta absoluta, we simulated the spread pattern considering Turkey as the initial point in Asia. The model revealed that it would take about 20 years for the pest to reach the southeast part of Asia, unlike real life where it took just about 10 years (2009–2018). This can be explained by international crop trade, especially in tomatoes, and movement of people, suggesting that recommendations and advice from the previous invasion in Europe and Africa were not implemented or not seriously taken into account. Moreover, some countries like Taiwan and the Philippines with suitable environmental condition for the establishment of T. absoluta are not at risk of natural invasion by flight, but quarantine measure must be put in place to avoid invasion by crop transportation or people movement. The results can assist policy makers to better understand the different mechanisms of invasion of T. absoluta in Asia, and therefore adjust or adapt control measures that fit well with the dynamic of the invasive pest observed.

Comprehensive Metabolome and Volatilome Analyses in Eggplant and Tomato Reveal Their Differential Responses to Tuta absoluta Infestation

“…Tuta absoluta belongs to the Gelechiidae family in the order Lepidoptera (Zhang et al, 2020 ) and was first described in South America in 1917, which caused extensive damage to tomatoes and other plants (Biondi et al, 2018 ; Cherif and Verheggen, 2019 ; Tarusikirwa et al, 2020 ). The pest has since spread widely to ~110 countries in Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East through the large-scale importation of tomatoes in those countries (Desneux et al, 2010 ; Biondi et al, 2018 ; Mansour et al, 2018 ; Guimapi et al, 2020 ). Tuta absoluta feeds, overwinters, and breeds on a broad range of hosts such as eggplant, potato, nightshade, tomato, and tobacco (Silva et al, 2021 ).…”

A review on biology and possible management strategies of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae in Nepal

“…T. absoluta is reported in many African countries causing catastrophic damage in Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan showing alarm alert of heavy loss [ 20 , 21 ]. Asia has also experienced a rapid spread since its first detection in Turkey (2009) [ 22 ]. It reached western and eastern India in 2014 and 2017 respectively [ 23 ].…”

Biology, distribution, and management of invasive South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera; Gelechiidae), in Asia

“…The introduction and spread of this species into other countries in Asia can be facilitated by the trade and transportation of tomato seedlings and fruits (Guimapi et al, 2020; Venkatramanan et al, 2020). Information on pest biology and climatic parameters is necessary to evaluate the risk of invasion and develop long‐term management plans.…”