Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis to Control Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is among the most destructive pests that attack tomato in many countries. In this study, the efficiency of three suspensions (106; 105; 104 cell/ml) of Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki was tested on T. absoluta larvae 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar was assessed to study the effect of these suspensions on larval mortality. Results showed that the concentration 106 cell/ml resulted in the highest mortality of all instars larvae with an average mortality of 20%, 22.66%, 18.66% and 23.33% was recorded for the first, second, third and fourth instar, respectively. The greatest percentage of mortality occurred in the third day after the larvae fed with leaves treated with suspension B. thuringiensis.