oa The Impact Of Newly Introduced Insect Tomato Borer (tuta Absoluta) On Environment And Agriculture In Qatar

Insects are usually our most important competitors for food and other natural resources. They have a direct impact on agricultural food production by chewing the leaves of crop plants, sucking out plant juices and spreading plant pathogens. They also have a profound impact on the environment by destroying and causing damage on the local biodiversity. Tomato Borer (Tuta absoluta Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae ) was found for the first time in Qatar in March 2011 at Al-Khor, an area located in the north of the country. The infestation was observed on plastic house of tomato plants growing in two neighboring farms. Some tomato plants growing in an open field in the same site were also found to be infested by the insect. The possible source of infestation may be from tomato fruits imported from outside the country. This study will show the eradication programme which was implemented in Qatar by removing and burning all infested plants. The study will present the precautions which were taken to prevent any further spread of the insect (i.e. prohibition to move plant material from the infested site including composted material, disinfection of all equipment used for plant destruction, warning notices for visitors and elimination of all residues of previous plants and wild host weeds of the solanaceous family). These and other aspects of environmental, economic and agricultural impact will be emphasis in this study. Additionally, we will focus on the tactics used to control the insect by spraying insecticides, pest monitoring using water, pheromone and light traps.