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The tomato borer T uta absoluta ( L epidoptera: G elechiidae) has been a recognized pest in S outh A merica since the 1960s, quickly spreading to the major tomato‐producing countries in the region. A series of studies regarding this pest's biology, ecology and management were conducted to contain tomato losses within acceptable levels. Although cultural control methods were attempted against T . absoluta , as were the development of resistant tomato varieties and the use of pheromones and natural enemies, insecticides are still the main control method used. The sex pheromone of T . absoluta was identified, confirmed and synthesized in the late 1990s and it is currently used for detection and monitoring of this species, but improved sampling plans are still necessary for its use in decision‐making regarding insecticide use. Insecticide use has shifted from earlier reliance on organophosphates, pyrethroids, cartap and abamectin to insect growth regulators and, more recently, to novel insecticides. Unfortunately, the overreliance on insecticide use led to problems with insecticide resistance in the region, which is a current matter of concern not only in S outh A merica, but also elsewhere since introduced strains may carry insecticide‐resistance genes at high frequency even without local selection in the site of introduction.
Guedes et al. (Wed,) studied this question.