A dangerous pest is spreading in Ukraine, which can quickly destroy up to 100% of crops

Ukraine

Published Oct 30, 2021

Tridge summary

The South American tomato moth (Tuta absoluta Meyr) reached the Kharkiv region, where it was recently first detected by inspectors of the State Food and Consumer Service during a phytosanitary analysis of crops. It is noted that a dangerous quarantine pest was found in the village of Teofipol. It will be recalled that the South American tomato moth was first brought to Ukraine in 2010 with contaminated consignments of tomatoes coming from Turkey and Syria. Outbreaks of the pest at that time were found in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Odessa region.

Original content

"Gradually, the pest is conquering new territories and, as of January 1, 2021, the area affected is more than 1.19 thousand hectares. This is facilitated by the "mitigation" of the climate, which provokes the emergence of new generations of Tuta absoluta, which has adapted to the natural conditions of our country, "the agency explained. The main host plants of the South American tomato moth are tomatoes. In addition, moths can damage all species of plants of the nightshade family (Solanaceae): eggplant, potatoes, peppers, tobacco and wild nightshades such as datura, nightshade, sagebrush. This pest is able to destroy from 60% to 100% of the crop in a very short time. Biological features, ability to rapidly reproduce and adapt the South American tomato moth contribute to the rapid spread of the pest in Ukraine. It will be recalled that in September last year, a South American tomato ...

Source: Superagronom