A New Host Plant for Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Turkey

Survey to determine alternative host plants of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey was carried out in greenhouses and open fields of vegetable production areas, between the years of 2010 and 2011. Plants of three different families including Solanacaeae, Convolvulaceae and Chenopodiaceae have been identified as host. From cultivated Solanaceae family; tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), aubergine (Solanum melongena L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), pepino (Solanum muricatum Aiton), non-cultivated Solanaceae; black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) belonging to Convolvulaceae and lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album L.) belonging to Chenopodiaceae family were detected as host plants of Tuta absoluta. Among them, C. album is the first record as host of Tuta absoluta in Turkey.