Life cycle of South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) in Nepal

Abstract

In order to develop integrated management strategy against recently introduced invasive South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) in Nepal, life cycle and few biological parameters were studied in laboratory conditions (27±2 oC temperature and 75 percent relative humidity) at Entomology Division, NARC during August to September, 2017. The average developmental period from egg to adult of T. absoluta was found 18.37 days. Aveerage egg, larval and pupal periods was recorded 3, 8.26, and 7.11 days respectively. Adult longevity was found 13.47 days irrespective of sex. Length and breadth of egg was found 0.43 mm and 0.21 mm, whereas, 4.88 mm and 1.45 mm of pupa. Length of first, second, third and fourth instar larvae were recorded 0.63 mm, 1.59 mm, 3.86 mm and 7.19 mm, respectively. The head capsule width was found 0.15 mm, 0.27 mm and 0.41 mm of first, second and third larval moults.