Biology of the Small Borer (Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée 1854)

The aim of this study was to study the biology of the small tomato borer (Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée 1854) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in tomato plants in the agreste region of Alagoas (09°81'76S and 36°59'42W) and the damage caused by this pest. Among vegetables the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.; Solanaceae) is the most important species both productively and economically. In the state of Alagoas in northeastern Brazil it is one of the most produced vegetables. It is the cultivated vegetable species that is most subject to phytosanitary problems being intensely attacked by insect pests throughout its cycle. Among the insects that affect the tomato crop the small tomato hornworm (Neoleucinodes elegantalis) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is considered one of the key pests. This pest is responsible for considerable economic damage to the tomato crop since the attacked fruit is totally unsuitable for sale seriously damaging production since the presence of just one caterpillar of the pest inside the fruit leaves it with its flesh completely destroyed.