BIOASSAY METHOD FOR TOXICITY STUDIES OF INSECTICIDE FORMULATIONS TO Tuta absoluta (MEYRICK, 1917)

Chemical control is the main method for controlling the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (MEYRICK, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Reported techniques for the evaluation of insecticide toxicity to the tomato leafminer are not in agreement with field conditions and do not allow us to verify whether doses used in the field are efficient for control. Thus, the objective of this work was to develop a bioassay methodology to study the toxicity of insecticide formulations to T. absoluta that represent field conditions for fast-acting insecticides (neurotoxics and inhibitors of respiration) and slow-acting insecticides (Bacillus thuringiensis and insect growth regulators). The leaf-dip method was the most efficient method for toxicity studies of insecticides formulations to T. absoluta. We verified that bioassays with fast-acting insecticides should be performed with glass Petri dishes containing one tomato foliole from the 4(th) leaf from the plant apex infested with 10 larvae of 3(rd) instar and these bioassays can last 48 hours. Conversely, bioassays with slow-acting insecticides should be performed with two-liter transparent PET bottles containing the 4(th) leaf from the plant apex, with their petioles immersed in a glass bottle containing 120 mL of water, and this leaf should be infested with 10 larvae of 2(nd) instar and this bioassays can last seven days.