Determination of tomato leafminer [Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)] host, population development with parasitoid and predators in the vegetable fields of the Eastern Mediterranean

This study was carried out to identify of Tuta absoluta on vegetable fields in Eastern Mediterranean region. In this study, intended to find out the population development of T. absoluta and aimed to determine the host with parasitoid and predator of the pest in their natural environment.Sampling of T. absoluta was done on vegetable produced area, greenhouses region and weeds found edge of greenhouse and field to determine host and to observe the population development of the pest. This study was conducted on tomato field in Cukurova University for two separate periods, from May to August and from October to February in 2010.According to the results, all vegetable produced areas in Eastern Mediterranean region has been invaded by T. absoluta. For cultivated plants, tomato and eggplant, for weed, Solanum nigrum and Convolvulus spp. were determined as a host plant of T. absoluta. In the end of the study observed that increase much the population of the pest during fall period than spring period. Besides in this study belong to 2 different order and 6 different family parasitoid and predator species were determined.