DETERMINATION OF THE NATURAL ENEMIES AND POPULATION FLUCTUATION OF Tuta absoluta (MEYRICK, 1917) (LEPIDOPTERA:GELECHIIDAE) IN HIGHLAND GREENHOUSES IN ANTALYA, TURKEY

Tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is one of the most important pests that cause yield and quality loss in tomato cultivation in greenhouse and open field. 7'. absoluta, has spread rapidly in tomato production areas after emerging to Turkey in 2009. The pest is widely found along growing season in greenhouses and open fields in the coastal part of Antalya, where suitable climatic conditions are present. However, the population status of T. absoluta in tomato cultivation in greenhouses under high altitude highland conditions is not known and the study has been handled for this purpose. this study were conducted in 2018-2019 in Elmali and Korkuteli districts of Antalya province. In the study the population density of immature stage of T. absoluta were determined by leaf sampling and adult population density were determined by using pheromone traps for two years at four different locations. In addition, the natural enemies of the pest were also determined. As a result of the study, the pest was found widespread throughout the season in tomato greenhouses under highland conditions. Bracon concolorans Marshall, 1900, (Hymenoptera:Braconidae) Bracon variegator Spinola, 1808 (Hymenoptera:Braconidae) and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter, 1895) (Hemiptera:Miridae) have been identified as natural enemies. As for parasitoid of T. absoluta, B. variegator was determined as the first time in Turkey with present study.