Investigations on the mechanical and chemical control of Lasioptera sp., a new pest for tomatoes in Antalya province

Tomato is one of the most produced vegetables in our country. There is limited information about both biology and management of Lasioptera sp., which has been observed in tomato greenhouses in Antalya for the last few years and has begun to cause economic losses. Within the scope of this thesis, an effective study was carried out against this pest, the species of which has not been determined yet, in order to enlighten the unknowns relating to mechanical and chemical control of the pest. In this context, efficacy of sticky traps of different colors (black, red, yellow and blue) in capturing adults of the pest was investigated. In insecticide trials aimed at contributing to the chemical control of the pest, a total of 5 different commercial preparations which are considered to be effective to the pest were tested. The results showed that among the 4 different colored-sticky traps tested in the study, yellow ones were the most effective in capturing Lasioptera sp. adults and that they can be used within the scope of an integrated pest management (IPM) against the pest. Because catching the adults of the pest using sticky traps before laying eggs can also reduce the need for chemical control. In addition, from the 5 different active substances which were tested in both field and laboratory in order to control the larvae of the pest in tissue only Spinetoram + Sulfoxaflor and Cyromazine gave satisfactory results. In other words, these two active substances can be recommended alternately in the chemical control with the pest.