Abstract
Description of the subject: Influence of tomato, eggplant and potato and temperature variations on the population and infestation dynamics of the leafminer Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae).Objective: Study of (i) the abundance dynamics of the different stages of T. absoluta, (ii) the species preference for the three crops, (iii) the gradation of the primary establishment plant and the age structure of the stages larvae present on each host plant, (iv) the importance of temperature variations on adult trapping, the abundance of larval stages and the levels of infestation of each crop.Methods: Adult males are caught using pheromone traps. Larval stages are counted according to a sampling protocol adapted to each host-plant. Temperature variations are recorded over the entire experimental period and for each site.Results : The dynamics of abundance of all T. absoluta biological forms and the resulting infestations are greater on tomato, and are significantly influenced by temperature variations (maximum and minimum temperatures) and the host-plant considered. Tomato is chronologically the first crop attacked.Conclusion : Our study shows the major roles of temperature variations and of the targeted solanaceous species on the dynamics of T. absoluta populations and on the dynamics of plant infestations by the larval stages.