S14 - Session P4 - Potential of natural regulation of the tomato leafminer by its parasitoids in Senegal

Authors: Oumar Seydi *

The new apparition of the tomato leafminer in West Africa has prompted research into the control of this insect. The management of the pest by using its natural enemies appeared to be the most promising approach for effective control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of T. absoluta regulation by its parasitoids. Populations of the leafminer were monitored on twenty-five tomato plots during three seasons from March 2018 to June 2019, in the Niayes area. The larvae collected were monitored in the laboratory until the emergence of possible parasitoids. Five species of parasitoids were obtained. These were Chelonus sp. Apanteles litae , Cotesia vestalis and Meteorus laphygmarum of the family Braconidae and Diadegma insulare of the family Ichneumonidae. Seventeen larvae were parasitized out of the 858 larvae collected. Chelonus sp. species is the most abundant with a percentage of 58.82%. Diadegma insulare and Cotesia vestalis were recorded for the first time on the pest T. absoluta in Senegal. These results allowed to evaluate the potential of natural regulation of T. absoluta by its parasitoids.