Decision-making systems for management of the invasive pest Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in commercial tomato crops according to insecticide spray method and plant stage

Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a challenging pest to manage in tomato crops and can lead up to 90% in yield losses. Decision-making systems are an essential tool to manage N. elegantalis in integrated pest management (IPM) programs, which include economic injury levels (EIL) and sampling plans. In this study, we determined a decision-making system, based on sequential sampling plans for N. elegantalis eggs, according to insecticide spraying methods (hand sprayer, tractor, and aircraft) and plant stages [fruiting stage one (FSI) with ≤3 clusters and fruiting stage two (FSII) with >3 clusters]. Decision-making systems were determined using data collected from 260 commercial fields. This study is the first to explore different decision-making systems for insect pests as a function of pesticide spray methods. EILs ranged from 0.105 to 0.239 fruits with eggs per sample depending on the insecticide spray method and plant stage. EILs were lower at the FSI for tractor and aircraft sprays and higher for plants at FSII managed with hand sprayers. The sequential sampling plans led to correct decisions with time-saving on the sampling process ranging from 37.76% to 65.40% on average. In conclusion, this decision-making system could be incorporated into N. elegantalis IPM programs on tomato crops because it makes correct, fast, and cost-effective decisions. [Display omitted] •Neoleucinodes elegantalis can cause up to 90% of yield losses in tomato crops.•Economic injury levels (EILs) were 0.105–0.239 tomato fruits with eggs per sample.•EILs were higher in crops managed with hand sprayers than those operated with tractors or aircraft.•The sequential sampling plans yielded correct decisions and time-saving between 37.76% and 65.40% on average.•This decision-making tool may be useful as a basis to develop similar sampling methods if this pest establishes out of the Neotropical region.