Farmers fear tomato leafminer

Farmers are worried about a small moth, which is primarily attracted to tomatoes, after it was detected in Malta for the first time last month.

The tuta absoluta, commonly known as the tomato leafminer, is an emergent pest that can also damage other solanaceous (flowering) plants.

The moths are greyish brown and grow to about six millimetres. When maturing, the caterpillars turn a yellowish green and develop a black band behind their head. When fully grown, they are about nine millimetres long and have a pinkish colour on their back.

These caterpillars normally live in leaves, stems or fruit but usually exit to pupate in the soil or on the leaves. However, larger ones can sometimes be seen crawling on the plant.

Moths are active at night and in daytime hide between the leaves.

They can reproduce very quickly and lay up to 260 eggs throughout their lives.

The most distinctive signs of their presence are blotch-shaped holes in the leaves and dark, granular excrement.

The moth is mainly controlled by pesticide but even this is difficult to achieve because it feeds inside the plant.

The Plant Health Department is carrying out monitoring surveys and will hold a meeting about the moth for farmers on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Farmers' Central Cooperative Society, Ta' Qali. Anyone who comes across the moth or its symptoms should call the department on 8007 2310/2339 7100/2339 7545/2590 4312.