POPULATION DYNAMICS OF TUTA ABSOLUTA MEYRICK IN MACEDONIA

In the past few years T. аbsoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is considered as one of the greatest pests of tomato in Republic of Macedonia. Its larvae are the most harmful stage causing major damages manifested through the presence of irregular mines on tomato leaves. Damage can reach up to 100%. The severe attack on the tomato fruits reduces the commercial value from 50 to 100% (EPPO 2005). During the two years research (2015-2016) the presence of this economically significant pest on tomato in a protected area in two systems of cultivation conventional and integral system is determined. Pheromones traps as a secure method for monitoring and detecting the presence of T. absoluta were used for collecting insects. The presence of T. absoluta was proved by morphological analysis of the male genitalia. The main objective of our research was to determine the correlation between the population dynamics of T. absoluta and climate factors in two production systems – integral and conventional over two season spring/autumn at tomatoes in a protected area.