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The pest
Gamage
Methods of control
Protocol to proceed

Tomato looper (Chrysodeixis chalcites, esper)

The pest

Chrysodeixis chalcites adult

Chrysodeixis chalcites larvae

The biologic cycle is continuous, and the different stages are overlapped, being able to pass the winter as a larva in the greenhouses. It has between 2 to 3 generations per year.

Adults: forewings are of a golden brown color. Have a similar morphology to Autographa gamma, but differ from it in the forewings, which in Tomato looper have two conspicuous water shaped spots, silver or white. They have also a dorsal tuft of setae. The female fecundity is about 500 eggs.

Eggs: are laid isolated or in small groups shared out throughout the crop. They are whitish, and have vertical stretch marks. Are dome shaped.

Larvae: bodies are bright green and have a yellow longitudinal stripe on each side. They have white and fine back-lateral lines. The body is tapered and thickened towards the end. They have 3 pairs of false legs and three pairs of abdominal legs. Their maximum length, reached in the last stage, is about 4 cm. When most caterpillars can be found is in late summer and in autumn, and that coincide with the fly of the adults. Larval stage lasts from 2 to 3 weeks.

Pupae: are green at first but then change to brown. Are found between leaves, wrapped in a silken cocoon. The average size is 21 mm. Pupae are not found in the ground.

Damage

The main crops affected are eggplant, zucchini, beans, melon, cucumber, peppers, watermelon, tomatoes, roses, etc. and also attacks wild plants. Caterpillars are active both day and night. When are small they feed on the parenchyma of leaves and damage can be noted on the underside of them. In the following larval stages become more voracious and feed of all parts of the leaves. The main damage caused by the pest is the defoliation, especially in young plantations. The pest also attack the fruits in some crops, as tomato one.

Methods of control

DETECTION AND MONITORNG:

Using a monitoring device consisting on Funnel Unitrap trap with insecticide DDVP vapone) and pheromones allows to detect the presence of adults in each plot.

Once detected the first catches is advisable to make a visual estimation by direct sampling in the plants, observing the fruits, and other parts of the plant. Then it is recommended to contact with the technical staff of Pest Protection Service in the area, which will evaluate the situation on the ground and determine the measures to be taken in each case.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MONITORING

Place 3 to 4 Funnel Unitrap traps per hectare or per monitored area. Place it over the crop for good ventilation, and put them up as the crop grows.
Place the pheromone into the basket and the insecticide into the receptacle of the trap. Always use protection gloves.
Traps are monitored 1 time per week, to collect and note down the number of insects captured and verify that traps are still in the correct position.
Attractants must be renewed every 6 weeks.

MASS TRAPPING

To carry out the control of the pest, follow these instructions:

Place 8 to 10 Funnel Unitrap traps per hectare of crop, depending on the density of catches. Place them about 20 cm. over the crop, inside the plot, but also outside it, strengthening the areas with most catches, where the distance between traps will be of 25 meters.
Mass trapping will take place throughout all the development of the plant.
Mass trapping needs to be complemented with the phytosanitary treatments recommended by the technicians of Pest Protection Service.

Protocol to proceed

IN CASE OF ATTACK OR DETECTION OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS INFESTED BY TOMATO LOOPER

Do not make indiscriminate and aggressive treatments that may alter the biological balance of the crop area and its natural enemies.
Treat initially with preventive products, and if necessary, with the specific products recommended by the technicians of Pest Protection Service.
Don’t abuse of specific products against this pest, as it would no longer be effective.
Do not remove the affected parts of the plant without taking steps to prevent its spread, so it is advisable to destroy it.
Inform and take benefit of Pest Protection Service technicians’ help, in order to make the most appropriate actions in your plots.