Tomato Production, IPM

Insect Pest Management
Tomato Production

Several insects attack tomato. Tomato fruitworm (shown far left) and beet armyworm (shown near left) bore inside fruits. Chemical insecticides, Bacillus thuringiensis, and parasitic wasps are used to control these pests.

	Cotton aphids feed on the sap of leaves. The pests cause foliage to become curled and distorted. Aphids also create a sugary substance that leads to black sooty mold growth on foliage.
	Whiteflies also remove sap from leaves, creating numerous chlorotic spots. Under severe infestations, leaves may become brown and wilt.
	Aphids and whiteflies both weaken plants, thereby lowering yields. Of greater significance is that these insects transmit viruses that can destroy a crop. Chemical insecticides are commonly used to control aphids and whiteflies. As discussed earlier in this tutorial, these pests are excluded from young seedlings through the use of fine-mesh netting.