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Tomato leafminer – Tuta absoluta

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917), also referred to as Phthorimaea absoluta Meyrick, 1917, is a regulated pest for Canada. It is recognized around the world as a serious pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production. This insect is native to South America, but since 2006 has spread rapidly throughout countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia. More recently, the insect has been reported from Central America.

Tuta absoluta is very damaging to tomato plants and damage on tomato fruit makes it unmarketable. Although T. absoluta is a tropical pest and not expected to survive year round in Canada, it is very likely that if a Canadian greenhouse were to become infested, that T. absoluta would successfully spread to surrounding greenhouse operations during the summer months.

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