Predatory insects and arachnids as potential biological control agents against the invasive tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in perspective and prospective

Abstract

Although the tomato leafminer T. absoluta is a native pest to South America, it invaded many countries in center and north Europe and North Africa. Moreover, it has become an economically important insect in the major tomato-producing countries because its larvae reduce tomato yield and cause great losses of the fruit quality. The use of predators, as biocontrol agents, is an important alternative to the chemical insecticides. The present article reviewed the record and feasible use of different predator species belonging to several insect orders and families, as well as some arachnid species. This review provided, also, an insight on the predator as potential biocontrol agents againstrnT. absoluta in different parts of the world, especially the tomato producing countries. In addition, the integration between predators and some other biocontrol agents, and conservation of the indigenousrnnatural predators in relation to T. absoluta had been discussed.