Concerns Rise Over 'Tomato Hornworm' Proliferation Due to Temperature Increase

As daytime temperatures have risen significantly, conditions favorable for tomato leafminer larvae development have been created, requiring meticulous monitoring and pest control. The tomato leafminer is a quarantine pest confirmed to have entered the country in 2023, with larvae creating wide white tunnels along leaf edges and fruits as they grow, reducing marketability and causing yield decreases. According to a survey by the Rural Development Administration using adult pest trapping devices installed in tomato farms across 150 cities and counties nationwide, the number of captured adult pests has increased with rising temperatures. Specifically, the number of captured adults rose from approximately 3,000 in March to 11,000 in April, and 14,000 in May. During May alone, the number of captured individuals decreased by about 25% compared to the same period last year. However, the number of cities and counties where tomato leafminers were discovered increased by 8, reaching 75 ...