Insect Pests Of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentu In A Selected Plot Within The Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike In Abia State

ABSTRACT

The insect pests of the tomato plant Lycopersicon esculentum were surveyed between the months of May to August 2006 in a selected plot within the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State. Two varieties of Lycopersicon escuientum; Roma VF and Derica VF were used For the survey. The tomato seeds were sun-dried and then planted in two seed trays in sterilized soil. The seeds were then transplanted into the main field after one month in the nursery. Sampling or inspection for the insect pests started after one week of transplanting and were made between the hours of 7 — 8 am and 6 — 7 pin on weekly basis. Twelve species of insects belonging to five different orders were encountered. Of these, Bernisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), the caterpillars of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Plusia spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were found to cause very serious damage to the plant. The occurrences of the various insects varied during the survey period. Various parts of the tomato plant were attacked by the insects with the vegetative and fruiting stages recording the highest number. Beinisia tabaci had the highest average percentage abundance of 75.0% followed closely by Spodoptera exigua and Plusia spp. which recorded 73.3% and 66.6% respectively.