2025, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A
Knowledge, perceptions and management practices for Tuta absoluta (lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on tomato in Botswana
Author(s): Mitch Mosimanegape Legwaila
Abstract: A survey was conducted to investigate farmer’s knowledge, perceptions and management practices for the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta on tomato. 200 active tomato farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire from October 2023 to March 2024. The study revealed that tomato growers considered T. absoluta among the most economically devastating tomato pests in Botswana. The respondents demonstrated good knowledge of the pest and the type of damage it inflicts. The farmers reported that the moth pest reduces yields, affects the quality of tomatoes and increases their cost overruns. Infested fruits are rejected at the market leading to intolerable financial losses. Synthetic insecticides are favoured over all other control measures to manage invertebrate pests on their crops, and their action is not based on any threshold levels. Excessive amounts are applied in desperation to control the pest. The farmers lamented that T. absoluta is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to control with conventional insecticides which they attribute to resistance development. There is a need for strict regulation on the importation and use of insecticides. Farmers should be trained on appropriate application of insecticides. Integrated pest management for the control of vegetable pests should be inculcated into farming systems. Pest control strategies should involve monitoring through the use of pheromone traps to delay resistance development and evade the undesirable consequences posed by insecticides.
DOI: 10.33545/27080013.2025.v6.i1a.183
Pages: 07-16 | Views: 68 | Downloads:
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How to cite this article:
Mitch Mosimanegape Legwaila. Knowledge, perceptions and management practices for Tuta absoluta (lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on tomato in Botswana. Acta Entomol Zool 2025;6(1):07-16. DOI: 10.33545/27080013.2025.v6.i1a.183
