Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Abstract

Pheromone traps were placed in the market place in Banja Luka, and in greenhouses and open field tomato crops, on 13 September 2010 to determine the presence of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Banja Luka region. Based on examination of traps, the presence of T. absoluta was confirmed for the first time in the Republic of Srpska. Only mines of Liriomyza species were found by examining leaves under a stereomicroscope. In 2011, pheromone traps were placed in greenhouses at several locations (Banja Luka, Prijedor, Novi Grad, Kozarska Dubica, Ljubinje and Trebinje) at the beginning of June, and in open fields in Bijeljina and Trebinje at the beginning of September. Examination of the traps was carried out at intervals of 15 days. A sample of 100 leaves, taken from 20 randomly selected plants, was examined in order to evaluate the intensity of the attack. The first adults were caught in greenhouses in Ljubinje and Trebinje on 18 June 2011; in open field crops in Bijeljina on 9 September 2011 and in Banja Luka on 5 October 2011. Adults were not captured in Prijedor, Novi Grad or Kozarska Dubica, and no mined leaves were observed. The intensity of attack was evaluated on the basis of active infestation (percentage of leaves with active mines compared with all mined leaves). The strongest intensity of active infestation was recorded in the open field crops in Trebinje, where 19% of leaves with active mines were found.

Distribution and molecular identification of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro

“…On the other hand, this survey confirmed that the pest is also present in greenhouses and open fields in the continental climate of B&H, such as in Bijeljina, Novi Grad, Banja Luka, Prijedor and Gradiška. In accordance with many authors ( VAN DEVENTER 2009, cited in BETTAIBI et al 2012, TOŠEVSKI et al 2011, ĐURIĆ et al 2012, this is partly caused by the intensive tomato production in some areas, as well as the cross-border tomato trade in the country.…”