Understanding Greenhouse Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Growers’ Perceptions for Optimal Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) Management—A Survey in Greece

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) leafminer, Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an extremely invasive pest and is threatening tomato production worldwide. Several strategies have been developed and implemented for managing P. absoluta. Effective pest control strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM) schemes include different cultural practices and techniques. This study seeks to (a) examine the perspectives, attitudes, and opinions of greenhouse tomato producers in Greece regarding different methods of P. absoluta management and (b) to determine whether the perceived damage caused by P. absoluta could be predicted by the implementation of various control management strategies. A questionnaire was employed to ascertain the views and beliefs of the participants. The questionnaire comprised five-point Likert scale questions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and binary logistic regression analysis were applied to examine the relationship between the reported perceived insect damage and the utilization of control techniques. The study findings indicate that greater adoption of alternative control methods and higher levels of adherence to preventive measures against P. absoluta are associated with a perception of reduced levels of damage. Conversely, individuals with a strong reliance on pesticides use are more likely to perceive a higher level of damage. Ultimately, as tomato growers are trying to deal with P. absoluta, more education and research on other alternatives could help the reduction of chemical use, promoting more environmentally friendly practices. The findings highlight integrated pest management over pesticides for sustainable tomato production. This can guide future research and extension efforts to develop tailored P. absoluta management approaches for Greek greenhouse growers and similar environments.