Performance of light traps in the capture of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tomato leafminer moth Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is an important pest of the tomato plant. Light traps can play an influential role in reducing the pest population. Different light colors, three trap sizes, and three installation heights were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The light colors were white, yellow, green, red, blue, and blacklight blue (BLB). The traps, transparent containers of three sizes were 8.5, 10.5, and 14.5 cm in diameter and 15, 19, and 26 cm in height, respectively. The trap installation heights were 50, 75, and 100 cm above the plants’ canopy. The BLB color proved significantly more attractive to T. absoluta, followed by yellow and white colors. The light traps captured more males than females and more mated females than virgin ones. Both of the larger traps (10.5 cm d × 19 cm h and 14.5 cm d × 26 cm h), and higher installed ones (100 cm and 75 cm above the plants), captured a significantly higher number of moths compared to the smaller trap size and lower installation height. Accordingly, for mass trapping of moths, light traps with BLB source of light, with 10.5 cm in diameters and 19 cm in height, and installation at 75 cm above the canopy is recommended in greenhouses.