Fortunately, there are no signs that tuta absoluta, a devastating tomato pest, has come to Egypt, reports Doaa El-Bey Alarm bells rang when tuta absoluta, that poses a serious threat to tomato production in the Mediterranean region, came to Libya last year. Tuta absoluta, known to be crossing borders, originated from South America. It later moved into Europe, especially the Mediterranean countries, where it found in the shores of the Mediterranean a perfect new home to produce between 10-12 generations a year. It later moved to Maghreb states and Libya. A senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that it has not reached Egypt and added that there are no reasons to make people worry. Meanwhile, the ministry is taking all necessary measures to ensure that the insect does not come to Egypt. In an assessment of the danger of tuta absoluta, Magdi El-Hariri, the head of the Plant Protection Research Institute said "we do not want to underestimate or overestimate the danger of that insect. It is a dangerous insect, but we can protect Egypt from it if we adopt a comprehensive programme to combat it. It can easily come to Egypt with a passenger coming from an infected area or in a shipment of tomatoes from abroad." However, ever since tuta absoluta came to the Maghreb states, Egyptian authorities have taken strict measures to prevent it from crossing the Egyptian borders. El-Hariri said that his institute works in harmony with the Ministry of Agriculture's Central Administration for Agricultural Quarantine and the Central Administration for Pest Control to prevent the insect from entering Egypt. These bodies imposed strict inspection measures on any imported tomatoes or tomato and aubergine seeds coming from abroad especially from Marsa Matrouh and Saloum on the western borders with Libya. The infestation of tuta absoluta has also been reported on potato, aubergine and common beans. In addition, pheromone traps, that lure the insect and kill it, were distributed in different tomato farms to detect the presence of tuta absoluta in case it comes to Egypt. Pheromone traps are being used as a tool for early detection of the insect as well as for controlling its spread. Monitoring the insect with the naked eye is also an effective tool. The danger of tuta absoluta is not only in its devastating effects on tomato production but also in the difficulty to control it. Chemical control is limited due to the nature of the effects of the insect's damage as well as its rapid ability to develop resistant strains. "The fact that it can attack tomatoes in any stage and in open farms as well as in green houses adds to its danger," El-Hariri added. Certain precautionary measures like properly sealing greenhouses, and installing double doors in addition to using pheromone and light traps can protect them from tuta absoluta. The use of biological means, registered in Egypt and accepted by the European Union and the US Environmental Protection Agency, is another way that could be used to combat the insect. Pesticides are a last resort, when all other measures fail. Guidance programmes for farmers on how to deal with the insect are also available and ready for farmers if there is a need.
