International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology, Vol. 5, No 6, 2016, 4481 – 4486
ISSN 2278-3687 (O) 2277-663X (P)

Confirmation of the Presence of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Niger (West Africa)

Haougui Adamou¹*, Basso Adamou², Madougou Garba³, Salissou Oumarou³, Bague Gougari³, Moumouni Abou⁴, Aissa Kimba⁵ and Patrick Delmas⁵

¹University of Tillabéri, Niger (West Africa)
²National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger
³Direction Générale de la Protection des Végétaux du Niger
⁴Centre national de lutte antiacridienne du Niger
⁵Réseau des Chambres d’Agriculture du Niger

Abstract. Tuta absoluta, an invasive pest of tomato is found in Senegal and is suspected to be present in tomato growing areas of Niger where it causes economic damage to tomato producers. The objective of this study was to confirm the presence of this insect pest in Niger. Infested plant organs were taken from many tomato fields and placed in boxes for emergence of adults of the insect. In addition, some other adults of the same insect were trapped using pheromone traps. All insect specimens were sent to Arizona State University and were identified as Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). So, countries next to Niger as well as some central Africa countries should expect the attack of this insect owing to its rapid spread if necessary action is not taken.

Keywords. tomato borer, Tuta absoluta, Lycopersicon esculentum, invasive species, Niger.

*Corresponding author: ahaougui@yahoo.com