A moth (Tuta absoluta) native to South America whose larvae mine leaves and bore into tomato fruit and stems, capable of causing complete crop loss in unmanaged fields. It spread to Spain in 2006 and from there across Europe, Africa and Asia within a decade, and it is now regarded as one of the most serious threats to tomato production worldwide.
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Tomato, Crops The tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) is one of the most damaging invasive insect pests of cultivated tomato.
Sources
1. Tomato Leafminer (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOpening definition paragraph
Tuta absoluta or Phthorimaea absoluta is a species of moth in family Gelechiidae known by the common names South American tomato pinworm, tomato leafminer, tomato pinworm and South American tomato moth. It is well known as a serious pest of tomato crops in Europe, Africa, western Asia and South and Central America, with larvae causing up to 100% loss if not effectively controlled.
lead description
A moth (Tuta absoluta) native to South America whose larvae mine leaves and bore into tomato fruit and stems, capable of causing complete crop loss in unmanaged fields.
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