
Biological control of Tuta absoluta in Argentina and Italy: evaluation
of indigenous insects as natural enemies

M. G. Luna1, N. E. Sánchez1, P. C. Pereyra1, E. Nieves1, V. Savino1, E. Luft2, E. Virla2

and S. Speranza3
1Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE) CONICET & UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; e-mail: lunam@cepave.edu.ar
2PROIMI – Biotecnologı́a, Div. Control Biológico. CONICET, Tucumán, Argentina; e-mail: evirla@gmail.com
3Department of Agriculture, Forests, Nature and Energy, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; e-mail: speranza@unitus.it

By means of an international project, Argentinian and Italian researchers are carrying out

joint research to study biological and ecological aspects of Tuta absoluta biological control.

This paper lists indigenous natural enemies reported for T. absoluta, as well as the current

results on T. absoluta egg and larval parasitoids in both countries. Parasitoid species that

conformed to different guilds are shown to coexist in cropping conditions, and some show

positive characteristics as potential biocontrol agents against T. absoluta by means of aug-

mentative releases. Future laboratory and field evaluations of the efficacy of biological con-

trol programmes in Argentina and Italy are proposed.

Introduction

The tomato moth Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera:

Gelechiidae) is a key pest of tomato originating from South

America, present in all cropping regions of both Italy and

Argentina. In Argentina it was first recorded in 1964 (Bah-

amondes & Mallea, 1969). Four decades later, T. absoluta
was detected in Spain (in 2006), and from this point of

introduction it spread rapidly throughout the Mediterranean

basin countries becoming a serious tomato pest (Desneux

et al., 2010). In Italy, T. absoluta was detected in 2008

(Viggiani et al., 2009). Currently it is dispersing to other

European and Middle East Asian states, and it is predicted

that in a 15-year period it will reach the Pacific Asian

Coast (Desneux et al., 2011).
Tomato is an important horticultural product in both

countries. In Argentina, it reaches 17 000 ha, mostly under

open cropping although protected crops have increased con-

siderably during recent decades. The main tomato produc-

tion regions are: Cuyo (310 000 tonnes), Northwestern

(260 000 tonnes), Northern Buenos Aires (100 000 tonnes)

and Northeastern (70 000 tonnes) (Argerich, 2011). In Italy,

tomato is cultivated all over the country, reaching

19 314 ha and 600 000 tonnes of production per year.

Sicilia, Campania, Abruzzo, Lazio, Calabria and Sardinia

are the main cultivation regions, representing 75% of Italian

production.

Tuta absoluta is a multivoltine species in both countries,

which rapidly develops in favourable environmental condi-

tions, with up to nine overlapping cycles per year in the

south of Italy and 12 in Argentina (Guenaoui et al., 2010;
Sannino & Espinosa, 2010a,b). Females lay 100–200 eggs

on the upper part of the plant. The newly hatched larvae

dig mines in the leaf parenchyma, where they reside until

the fourth-instar larval stage. Pupation takes place on the

plant or in the soil, sometimes protected by a silky cocoon.

Tuta absoluta does not have a winter diapause. The pest

attacks tomato leaves, stems and fruits, and it is considered

as oligophagous because it prefers mostly solanaceous spe-

cies as host plants. Moreover, it can lead to secondary

infestations. The mean population reproductive rate (Ro),

when fed on tomato (its preferred host), is threefold greater

than on other solanaceous crops such as potato However,

its ability to feed on other host plants can enhance the

capacity of T. absoluta to adapt to different environmental

conditions, which confers an important invasive behaviour

on this pest (Pereyra & Sánchez, 2006).

Tuta absoluta control in Argentina is based mostly on

the use of synthetic pesticides. More than 16 neurotoxic

insecticides are applied on a weekly basis, up to 14 times

per growing cycle (Strassera, 2009). In this country there

are also studies in progress to evaluate the use of Bacillus
thuringiensis and azadirachtin-based products to be com-

bined in integrated pest management (IPM), mostly targeted

to preserve the whiteflies’ parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus
(Cáceres et al., 2011). In Italy, chemical control is also

applied heavily through weekly calendar treatments in

greenhouses and open-field crops. However, IPM strategies

are starting to be applied based on monitoring with phero-

mone traps followed by chemical or natural pesticides treat-

ments (Speranza & Sannino, 2011).

Because of the concealed (within-leaf) feeding behaviour

of T. absoluta larvae, chemical control may be inefficient.

Thus tomato producers on both continents commonly have

to increase pesticide use as the season progresses, which

may lead to an increase of around 70% of total pest

260 ª 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation ª 2012 OEPP/EPPO, EPPO Bulletin 42, 260–267

Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin (2012) 42 (2), 260–267 ISSN 0250-8052. DOI: 10.1111/epp.2564

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management costs (Desneux et al., 2011). This intensive

use, in addition to producing adverse effects on human

health and the environment, has led to the appearance of

resistance in populations of South America (Salazar &

Araya, 1997; Siqueira et al., 2000, 2001; Lietti et al., 2005)
and Europe (Bielza, 2010). Therefore there is a need for

further T. absoluta control techniques that ensure effective,

inexpensive and environmentally safe management for the

pest (Luna et al., 2007; Strassera, 2009; Desneux et al.,
2010). Biological control based on the use of entomopha-

gous insects (predators and parasitoids), which comprise the

natural enemies of a pest, is an alternative technique worth

development (Koul & Dhaliwal, 2002; van Lenteren, 2008).

Based on the previous knowledge generated in Argentina

on T. absoluta concerning its biology, ecology and control,

Argentinian and Italian researchers have recently started a

joint collaboration project. The aim is to study the ento-

mophagous insect complex of this pest to select potential

biological control agents.

Potential for biological control in Argentina

Biological control is a prominent tool of increasing interest

to the Argentinian agronomical sector, but this technique

still remains to be commercially developed for most pests.

For T. absoluta, over 50 species of natural enemies are

mentioned for its region of origin, including predators, par-

asitoids and pathogens (Vargas, 1970; Garcı́a Roa, 1989;

Consoli et al., 1998; Miranda et al., 1998; Faria et al.,
2000; Colomo et al., 2002; Torres et al., 2002; Desneux

et al., 2010; Luna et al., 2011; Scorsetti & López Lastra,

2011). For Argentina, a revised inventory of the main

insects registered as T. absoluta natural enemies is pre-

sented (Table 1). Notably, most studies have focused on

parasitoid species (approximately 20 species described),

and to a lesser extent on predators, although the latter are

commonly present in horticultural crops (Botto et al., 1999;
Polack et al., 2011). Six parasitoid guilds1, according to the

parasitoid niche criteria developed by Mills (1994), were

found to attack T. absoluta eggs, larvae and/or pupae. Inter-

estingly, parasitoid guilds are similar to those recorded for

this pest in other countries, although species can differ

(Uchoa-Fernandes & Campos, 1993; Faria et al., 2000;

Marchiori et al., 2004; Guedes, 2011). All of them are

Hymenopteran wasps, and Tachinidae (Diptera) species

have not yet been found. So far, the mirid bug Tupiocoris
cucurbitaceus (Spinola) and the parasitoid wasps Dineulo-
phus phtorimaeae (de Santis) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

and Pseudapanteles dignus (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera:

Braconidae) show positive traits to be considered as poten-

tial candidates for biological control by means of conserva-

tion and/or inundative releases (Luna et al., 2007; Sánchez
et al., 2009; Luna et al., 2010; López et al., 2011).

Results for parasitoids: literature review
and experimental results

Egg parasitoids

Based on a literature review, one Aphelinidae and several

Trichogrammatidae species have been reported as spontane-

ously attacking this host stage in Argentina (Table 1) (Botto

et al., 1999). Riquelme Virgala & Botto (2010) found that

the introduced species Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Naga-

raja could also be a potential natural enemy against

T. absoluta through a new parasitoid–host association. In

addition, more egg parasitoid species are known for

T. absoluta in other South American countries (Desneux

et al., 2010).
To determine the current egg parasitoid complex of

T. absoluta in Argentina, a study was initiated using the

‘sentinel eggs’ technique (Colazza & Bin, 1995; Koppel

et al., 2009). The aim was to register natural egg parasit-

ism in Northern Buenos Aires province (La Plata Horticul-

tural Belt) and in Northwestern Region (Tucumán

province). Bouquets of tomato leaves with cohorts of

T. absoluta egg masses (24–36 h old) were placed in

greenhouse and open-field crops, and also in vegetation

adjacent to crops. Egg masses were exposed for 48 h and

then viewed under a stereoscope to check for parasitized,

healthy and lost/predated eggs. To date, Trichogramma
pretiosum Riley was found parasitizing T. absoluta senti-

nel eggs located in adjacent crops (maize) in N. Buenos

Aires province, but was not detected in tomato crops. The

authors consider that probably the cropping conditions,

such as extreme climatic environment in greenhouses and/

or intensive use of pesticides, negatively affect the egg

parasitoids’ host search-and-attack behaviour (Pratissoli &

Parra, 2000; Lewis et al., 2003).

Larval parasitoids

Among the list of species attacking T. absoluta larvae

reported previously (Table 1 and references therein), the en-

doparasitoid P. dignus and the ectoparasitoid D. phtori-
maeae are by far the main indigenous species, producing

>50% of natural parasitism (Sánchez et al., 2009; Luna

et al., 2010). Interestingly, although both species attack the

larval stage, Luna et al. (2010) found evidence that they

interact and can coexist at host densities normally recorded

in the field, as they belong to different parasitoid guilds

and partition their niche (host resource) (see below).

Because of these characteristics, P. dignus and D. phtori-
maeae were selected to evaluate their potential as biocon-

trol candidates. Thus biological and ecological traits in the

laboratory, as well as some aspects of the host–parasitoid

1A parasitoid guild is a group of parasitoid species that share the same

parasitoid niche. A parasitoid niche is characterized by the host stage

attacked, the mode of parasitism (external or internal), and the form of

parasitism (continuous or protracted development). There are a total of

12 available niches for endopterygote insects as hosts (Mills, 1994).

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Biocontrol of T. absoluta in Argentina and Italy 261

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interactions, in open-field and protected crops in Buenos

Aires and Tucumán provinces, are currently being studied

(Pereyra et al., 2010; Savino et al., 2010, 2012).
Pseudapanteles dignus is a koinobiont2 endoparasitoid.

It is present in open-field and protected crops (organic and

conventional). It has seasonal synchronization with the host.

The impact on natural host populations throughout the

cropping season can reach >60%. The percentage of para-

sitism is host density-independent and highly variable. This

parasitoid exhibited an aggregative response to T. absoluta
density at leaf scale. Pest patches of higher densities have

greater risk of being parasitized than those of lower densi-

ties. No preference was found among host larval instars.

Total female life cycle is 36 days and adult female life

span is 12.20 ± 1.68 days. The reproductive strategy would

correspond to a weak synovigeny as in Jervis et al. (2008),
i.e. most eggs are mature at adult emergence. The female

exhibits a type I functional response, with the instantaneous

attack rate greater than the intrinsic growth rate (rm) of the
pest. The latter trait is considered a positive attribute for an

effective biological control agent, reducing pest growth

significantly, indicating potential for augmentative releases

(van Lenteren, 1997). On average, a female wasp can lead

to parasitism of 32 hosts. It shows promise for insect rear-

ing (Luna et al., 2007; Sánchez et al., 2009; Nieves et al.,
2011).

Dineulophus phtorimaeae is an idiobiont ectoparasitoid.

It occurs in open-field and greenhouse tomato crops, and

appears to be more sensitive to pesticides than P. dignus.

Table 1 List of insects as potential or detected natural enemies of T. absoluta in Argentina

Order Family Species References

Predators

Hemiptera Miridae Tupiocoris

cucurbitaceus

López et al., 2011

Parasitoids

Hymenoptera Aphelinidae Encarsia porteri (E) Cáceres et al., 2011

Braconidae Agathis (EL) Colomo et al., 2002;

Bracon lucilaeae (EL) Cáceres et al., 2011;

Colomo et al., 2002

Bracon lulesis (EL) Colomo et al., 2002

Bracon tutus (EL) Colomo et al., 2002

Chelonus

(Microchelonus) (E–L)
Colomo et al., 2002

Earinus spp. (EL) Colomo et al., 2002

Orgilus spp. (EL) Colomo et al., 2002

Pseudapanteles

dignus (EL)

Botto et al., 1999;

Colomo et al., 2002;

Berta & Perez, 2011;

Cáceres et al., 2011;

Luna et al., 2007; Puch, 2011.

Encyrtidae Copidosoma (E–L) Colomo et al., 2002

Chalcididae Spilochalcis spp.

(= Conura spp.) (P)

Cáceres et al., 2011

Eulophidae Dineulophus

phtorimaeae (LLC)

Botto et al., 1999;

Colomo et al., 2002;

de Santis, 1983; Luna et al., 2010

Neochrysocharis

formosus (EL)

Luna et al., 2011

Ichneumonidae Campoplex

haywardi (EL; L–P)
Colomo et al., 2002

Diadegma (EL) Colomo et al., 2002

Temelucha (EL) Colomo et al., 2002;

Trichogrammatidae Trichogramma

nerudai, T. pretisoum,

T. rojasi, Trichogrammatoidea bactrae* (E)

Botto et al., 1999;

Cáceres et al., 2011;

Colomo et al., 2002.

*Introduced species.

In parentheses, parasitoid species are classified into guilds according to Mills (1994): E, egg; E–L, egg–larval; EL, larval endoparasitoid; LLC, late
larval ectoparasitoid; L–P, larval–pupal; P, pupal.

2Koinobiont: a parasitoid life-history strategy in which the host contin-

ues developing more or less normally for a period following the para-

sitization event; cf. idiobiont: a parasitoid that does not allow its host

to develop any further after parasitization (Askew & Shaw, 1986)

ª 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation ª 2012 OEPP/EPPO, EPPO Bulletin 42, 260–267

262 M. G. Luna et al.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267527836_Ovipositional_strategy_of_Dineulophus_phtorimaeae_de_Santis_Hymenoptera_Eulophidae_a_natural_enemy_of_the_tomato_moth_Tuta_absoluta_Meyrick_Lepidoptera_Gelechiidae?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-165c0071-cd41-4d59-b6e9-0737249cdcef&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzIzNjIzMzUyOTtBUzo5ODc2ODc1ODI0NzQzNkAxNDAwNTU5NzE2MTc3
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51254461_Luna_MG_Wada_VI_LaSalle_J_Sanchez_NE_Neochrysocharis_formosa_Westwood_Hymenoptera_Eulophidae_a_newly_recorded_parasitoid_of_the_tomato_moth_Tuta_absoluta_Meyrick_Lepidoptera_Gelechiidae_in_Argentina_N?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-165c0071-cd41-4d59-b6e9-0737249cdcef&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzIzNjIzMzUyOTtBUzo5ODc2ODc1ODI0NzQzNkAxNDAwNTU5NzE2MTc3


It has a later seasonal synchronization with T. absoluta than

P. dignus. It practises lethal non-concurrent host feeding,

and attacks both healthy and previously P. dignus-parasit-
ized hosts. The percentage of parasitism is host density-

independent (functional response type I). As is the case for

P. dignus, it has an aggregative response to host density.

It prefers the host third-larval instar. Pre-imaginal develop-

mental time is 11.17 ± 0.6 days, and adult female life span

is 11.73 ± 0.92 days. It shows an extremely synovenic

reproductive strategy (type III, Jervis et al., 2008), indicat-
ing that females emerge without mature eggs. In contrast to

P. dignus, the parasitoid instantaneous attack rate is much

lower than the intrinsic growth rate (rm) of the pest. This

ectoparasitoid produces a total mean mortality (by host

feeding and parasitism) of 3.61 ± 0.19 hosts per female

(Luna et al., 2010; Savino et al., 2012).

Potential for biological control in Italy

Unlike the information available for Argentina, only limited

data is available about native predators and parasitoids

attacking T. absoluta in Italy, because of its recent introduc-

tion. A first inventory of the main insects detected as natural

enemies of T. absoluta is presented in Table 2. Three

families of Hemiptera have been detected as T. absoluta
predators. Macrolophus pygmaeus (Herrich-Schäffer) and

Table 2 List of insects as potential or detected natural enemies of T. absoluta in Italy

Order Family Species References

Predators

Hemiptera Anthocoridae Orius spp. Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b

Miridae Macrolophus pygmaeus Nannini, 2009; Sannino &

Espinosa, 2010b;

Nannini et al., 2011;

Fois et al., 2011a.

Macrolophus fuliginosus Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b

Macrolophus caliginosus Delrio et al., 2009

Dicyphus spp. Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b

Dicyphus errans

Nesidiocoris tenuis

Tavella et al., 2011;

Zappalà et al., 2011a,b,c;

Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b;

Fois et al., 2011a,b;

Nannini et al., 2011;

Rizzo et al., 2011.

Nabidae Nabis spp. Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b

Parasitoids

Hymenoptera Braconidae Bracon sp. (LLC–EL) Zappalà et al., 2011c

Bracon nigricans (LLC) Zappalà et al., 2011a,b,c

Bracon osculator (LLC) Zappalà et al., 2011c

Agathis fuscipennis (EL) Loni et al., 2011

Ichneumonidae Diadegma spp. (EL) Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b

Diadegma pulchripes (EL) Zappalà et al., 2011c

Eulophidae Closterocerus formosus (EL) Zappalà et al., 2011c

Chrysocharis pentheus (EL) Rizzo et al., 2011

Diglyphus crassinervis (EL) Rizzo et al., 2011

Hemiptarsenus spp. (L) Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b

Necremnus spp. (LLC) Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b;

Fois et al., 2011b;

Tavella et al., 2011;

Zappalà et al., 2011c

Necremnus artynes (LLC) Ferracini et al., 2011;

Rizzo et al., 2011

Necrenmus tidius (LLC) Ferracini et al., 2011

Pnigallio spp. (LLC) Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b

Pnigalio cristatus (LLC) Zappalà et al., 2011c

Pnigalio soemius (LLC) Zappalà et al., 2011c

Trichogrammatidae Trichogramma spp.(E) Polaszek et al., 2010;

Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b

In parentheses, parasitoid species are classified into guilds according to Mills (1994): E, egg; EL, larval endoparasitoid; LLC, late larval

ectoparasitoid; L, larval.

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Biocontrol of T. absoluta in Argentina and Italy 263

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267527836_Ovipositional_strategy_of_Dineulophus_phtorimaeae_de_Santis_Hymenoptera_Eulophidae_a_natural_enemy_of_the_tomato_moth_Tuta_absoluta_Meyrick_Lepidoptera_Gelechiidae?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-165c0071-cd41-4d59-b6e9-0737249cdcef&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzIzNjIzMzUyOTtBUzo5ODc2ODc1ODI0NzQzNkAxNDAwNTU5NzE2MTc3
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233648925_Luna_MG_Wada_VI_Sanchez_NE_Biology_of_Dineulophus_phtorimaeae_Hymenoptera_Eulophidae_and_field_interaction_with_Pseudapanteles_dignus_Hymenoptera_Braconidae_larval_parasitoids_of_Tuta_absoluta_Lepidop?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-165c0071-cd41-4d59-b6e9-0737249cdcef&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzIzNjIzMzUyOTtBUzo5ODc2ODc1ODI0NzQzNkAxNDAwNTU5NzE2MTc3
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235985083_Efficacy_of_sulphur_on_Tuta_absoluta_and_its_side_effects_on_the_predator_Nesidiocoris_tenuis?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-165c0071-cd41-4d59-b6e9-0737249cdcef&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzIzNjIzMzUyOTtBUzo5ODc2ODc1ODI0NzQzNkAxNDAwNTU5NzE2MTc3


Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) have been tested in the

laboratory and in greenhouses as biological control agents of

T. absoluta during the past 3 years (Fois et al., 2011a,b;

Nannini et al., 2011). Sannino & Espinosa (2010b) detected

in Campania crops the species Nabis predating T. absoluta
larvae and pupae, and Macrolopus, N. tenuis and Orius
feeding on eggs and early larval instars of the pest. Italian

native Hymenoptera are starting to be found in T. absoluta
control. The main family is Eulophidae, with more than

seven species parasitizing T. absoluta larvae (Ferracini et al.,
2011; Rizzo et al., 2011; Sannino & Espinosa, 2010b; Zap-

palà et al., 2011a,c). Native Diadegma pulchripes (Kokujev)
(Hym., Ichneumonidae), Necremnus sp. (Hym., Eulophydae)

and Bracon sp (Hym., Braconidae) have been reared in the

laboratory to test their potential as augmentative biological

control agents (Zappalà et al., 2011c). Zappalà et al. (2011c)
showed that Bracon sp. prefers late larval instars (third and

fourth) as hosts, with an adult life span of 18.37 ± 1.93 days.

Moreover, it can inflict !80% of mortality on the pest

through parasitism and host feeding.

Further studies aimed to find parasitoids of T. absoluta
immature stages in the Lazio region and compare these

with parasitoid complexes in other Italian regions. Particu-

larly for egg parasitoids, the ‘sentinel eggs’ technique is

used to compare this parasitoid guild in Italy and Argentina

(Colazza & Bin, 1995; Koppel et al., 2009).

Concluding remarks

Future biological control of T. absoluta in Italy is positively

related to the research experience carried out in Argentina

and vice versa. By increasing the scientific knowledge of this

pest, both countries will obtain mutual benefits. Currently,

results indicate that there exists a taxonomically diverse

community of natural enemies of T. absoluta, spontaneously
present in tomato crops in Argentina and Italy.

Preliminary studies in Italy show that interactions among

native predators and parasitoids and T. absoluta are

becoming established. Several authors state that the future

of T. absoluta control in Italy relies on augmentative

biological control (Ferracini et al., 2011; Fois et al., 2011a;
Nannini et al., 2011; Rizzo et al., 2011; Zappalà et al.,
2011b,c). In addition to economical benefits, the use of

biological control agents preserves the environment, with

low ecological risks for the gene pool of organisms already

present in the tomato agro-ecosystem. Commercial

augmentative biological control is a well developed

technique, used effectively in Europe (van Lenteren, 2011).

The industry has dozens of species available to be released

for many crops, and is interested in widening the market to

T. absoluta control.

Concerning future directions in Argentina, the focus will

be on continuing the field evaluation of P. dignus effective-
ness to control T. absoluta through augmentative releases.

In addition, the authors plan to search for P. dignus alterna-
tive hosts in the field, as well as to investigate the feasibil-

ity of host–parasitoid system mass rearing. In addition,

D. pthorimaeae deserves to be explored further in order to

develop possible tactics for conservation biological control.

Other interesting questions regarding multiple species inter-

actions is to elucidate whether P. dignus or D. phtorimaeae
will outcompete one anther, or whether both can coexist

under certain field conditions, as evidence suggests (Luna

et al., 2010; Savino, 2009). Information on other T. absoluta
mortality factors, such as those inflicted by oophagous preda-

tors and parasitoids, will contribute to better knowledge

of the complex interactions in the tomato agro-ecosystem,

to be integrated in IPM. Finally, knowledge should be

gained from the Italian experience on the improvement of

commercial biological control, a pest management tool

commonly used in horticultural crops in Europe, but of

very limited development in Argentina. There is increasing

interest by the Argentinian agricultural sector in moving

towards these techniques for pest control. However, Argen-

tina lacks industrial production of biological control agents,

and to date only a few imported species, such as Orius
insidiosus and Neoseiulus californicus strains produced in

Europe, are available, at high cost, to control T. absoluta
and whiteflies (Cáceres et al., 2011). With the development

of native insects as biocontrol agents, built on a thorough

scientific basis (Wajnberg et al., 2001), local growers

would benefit from less expensive, more efficient and envi-

ronmentally safe entomophagous species, avoiding non-tar-

get effects on native communities.

Acknowledgements

This paper was funded by a joint research cooperation grant

from the National Ministry of Science and Technology of

Argentina and the Ministry of External Affairs of Italy (IT/

10/08).

Lutte biologique contre Tuta absoluta en
Argentine et en Italie: évaluation des
insectes indigènes en tant qu’auxiliaires

Par le biais d’un projet international, des chercheurs

argentins et italiens ont commencé des recherches

conjointes afin d’étudier les aspects biologiques et

écologiques de la lutte biologique contre Tuta absoluta. Cet
article présente une liste exhaustive des ennemis naturels

indigènes signalés pour T. absoluta, ainsi que les résultats

actuels concernant les parasitoı̈des des œufs et des larves

de T. absoluta dans ces deux pays. Il a été montré que des

espèces de parasitoı̈des faisant partie de différents groupes

écologiques coexistent en culture, et que certains d’entre

eux présentent des caractéristiques positives pour être

éventuellement utilisés comme agents de lutte biologique

contre T. absoluta par le biais de lâchers inondatifs. Il est

proposé de continuer les recherches en évaluant au

laboratoire et sur le terrain des programmes efficaces de

lutte biologique en Argentine et en Italie.

ª 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation ª 2012 OEPP/EPPO, EPPO Bulletin 42, 260–267

264 M. G. Luna et al.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230695298_Evaluating_Indirect_Ecological_Effects_Of_Biological_Control?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-165c0071-cd41-4d59-b6e9-0737249cdcef&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzIzNjIzMzUyOTtBUzo5ODc2ODc1ODI0NzQzNkAxNDAwNTU5NzE2MTc3
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24354779_Survey_of_Stink_Bug_Hemiptera_Pentatomidae_Egg_Parasitoids_in_Wheat_Soybean_and_Vegetable_Crops_in_Southeast_Virginia?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-165c0071-cd41-4d59-b6e9-0737249cdcef&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzIzNjIzMzUyOTtBUzo5ODc2ODc1ODI0NzQzNkAxNDAwNTU5NzE2MTc3


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