Failure of the biological control of Tuta absoluta using the predatorNesidiocoris tenuis in a protected tomato crop: analysis of factors

Abstract: Many attempts have been made to biologically control the tomato leafminer Tutaabsoluta in Tunisia using the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis in nurseries, greenhouses and openfield tomato crops. However, several essays involving the biological control of this pest failed,particularly in greenhouses. The main reasons for these failures were identified by the authors asthe over use of insecticides and fungicides, de-leafing after mirid bug introductions and theprobable absence of prey when predators were released.