In order to obtain a more reliable sampling method of the South American Tomato Moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (= Scrobipalpuloides absoluta), we compared different methodologies in an 1 ha commercial tomato crop. We sampled the last three expanded leaves, three expanded leaves at the medium canopy, the entire plant leaves and the catches by a pheromone trap, at 100 and 130 days after planting the seedlings. A randomized complete block with four replications was used, with each plot measuring 30 x 30 m. The number of eggs, leaf mines and larvae were counted on each leaf, as well as the number of adults captured in the pheromone trap. Counts in the entire plant leaves were taken as the control. The medium canopy method provided a better association for mines (R² = 0.87) and larvae (R² = 0.88), while egg counts were better associated with the three last expanded leaves (r² = 0.68). The number of eggs provided a better association with the number of larvae and mines (R² = 0.67 and R² = 0.85 respectively). Therefore, it is possible to predict damage by T. absoluta based on egg counting. Pheromone traps revealed an increase in adults number from 100 to 130 days of the crop. The increase in adult population has followed mine and larvae numbers.
Insecta; pheromone trap; sampling method
