Tomato leafminer detected in Taiwan, China; Hsinchu City Government steps up inspections to prevent outbreak

Recently, cases of tomato leafminer invasion have occurred in the country, with sporadic occurrences in parts of Nantou and Taichung. To keep the outbreak under control, Hsinchu City - starting from the source - immediately provided relevant disease prevention information to the 38 seed (seedling) nurseries and farmers within its jurisdiction, calling on everyone to tackle the pest crisis together, and continues field inspections of related crops, leaving no slack in disease prevention.

Chang Li-ke, Director of the Hsinchu City Economic Development Department, said that the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) has a host range covering more than 30 species in 9 families. Besides damaging common solanaceous crops such as tomato, eggplant, bell pepper and potato, horticultural crops such as tobacco, datura and pepino (Solanum muricatum) are also high-risk groups and all require strict prevention. At present, the city government has taken the initiative to contact seed (seedling) operators within its jurisdiction to confirm and keep track of the situation in Hsinchu City; fortunately, no outbreak has occurred so far. It has also asked farmers' associations and district offices in all districts to assist with field inspections by farmers and to strengthen survey work.

The Hsinchu City Economic Development Department said that the telltale sign of tomato leafminer damage is windowpane-like feeding marks left when it feeds on leaves; if similar conditions are found in the field, it may be the tomato leafminer. In addition, it also bores into tender stems and fruits, causing stunted plant growth and smaller, deformed fruits, which affects their commercial value. The wounds caused by tomato leafminer feeding also make it easier for pathogens to invade; if not dealt with promptly, a severe outbreak may cause 80~100% yield loss.

The Hsinchu City Economic Development Department said that information on the tomato leafminer's ecology, morphological characteristics, control methods and announced emergency control pesticides can be found by farmers or the public on the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine website / Plant Health Information / Tomato Leafminer section, to keep up with the latest outbreak information in real time.