ASPECTS REGARDING MONITORING OF THE PEST TUTA ABSOLUTA (TOMATO LEAF MINER) ON TOMATO CROPS UNDER HIGH PLASTIC TUNNELS AND EFFICACY OF SOME INSECTICIDES TESTED FOR ITS CONTROL

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a pest native from South America, which was first reported in Romania in 2009 (Satu Mare). Among the vegetable species, tomatoes are the main host of the pest, but can also be found on potato, black nightshade (Solanumnigrum), eggplant, bell peppers and tobacco.Yield losses caused by Tuta absoluta can reach 100%, in the absence of adequate control measures.Pheromone traps are a complementary method of this pest control, contributing considerably to reducing its population. The experiments were done in 2020, in the area of influence of R.I.V.F.G. - Vidra, in the first cycle of crop, using the hybrids Sahmat F1 and Zadurella F1.The Delta traps with pheromone were placed in 2 high plastic tunnels with tomatoes, from 2 different locations (Dobreni and Vărăști) and the number of captured adults and the frequency and intensity of the attack on foliage and fruits were periodically recorded, between May and July.The number of captured adults on the sticky plate which have 397,75 cm2, ranged in time, between 52 and 482. Chemical treatments were also applied, at 7 daysintervals, to prevent the spread of the pest and limit the damage caused by it. The average yields obtained were between 6.950 kg/m2 (farmer 1, Dobreni) and 8.270 kg/m2 (farmer 2, Vărăști).