Biology and morphometry of tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) on tomato

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken in glasshouse and laboratory conditions to study biology and morphometry of tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) at Post Graduate Institute, MPKV, Rahuri (MS) India. Recorded data of pinworm reveals that eggs were small (0.41×0.24 mm), cylindrical and creamy white in colour. Egg incubation period was about 3 to 7 days. Larvae passes through four different instars. Average larval period of I, II, III and IV instar larvae were 3.15, 2.25, 2.30 and 3.50 days, respectively. Total larval period ranged from 9 to 13 days with an average of 11.2 days. Pupae were dark brown in colour. It was 4.5 mm in length and 1.16 mm in width. Total pupal period was 6 to 11 days. T. absoluta has a high reproductive potential, average fecundity was recorded about 165.4 eggs per female. The average longevity of male and female adults were 7.60 and 13.25 days, respectively.