Identification, Microhabitat, and Ecological Niche Prediction of Two Promising Native Parasitoids of Tuta absoluta in Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Associations between the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), and its native parasitoids need to be updated to increase the implementation of pest control strategies. In this study, T. absoluta-infested tomato plants were collected from three regions in Kenya. The emerged parasitoids were identified, and their abundance was correlated with agroecological parameters, viz. cropping systems, and the abundance of the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae). The study further conducted a habitat suitability prediction for the identified parasitoids. Two parasitoid species, Bracon nigricans (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Stenomesius sp. near japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera

SUBMITTER: Mama Sambo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9225270 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature