Biology and Global Impact of the Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) with Sustainable Management Approaches

Tomatoes are among the most economically and nutritionally important crops worldwide, yet their cultivation is increasingly threatened by invasive pests and diseases. Among these, the tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) is one of the most destructive, causing yield losses from about 11% to 100% under severe infestation. Native to South America, this pest has rapidly spread across Asia, Africa, and Europe due to its high reproductive capacity, ecological adaptability, and rising resistance to conventional insecticides. In addition to tomatoes, it also infests other Solanaceous crops and wild hosts, compounding its spread and impact. Infestations result in extensive foliar, stem, and fruit damage, reducing photosynthetic efficiency, lowering market value, and predisposing crops to secondary infections. These effects pose significant economic challenges and threaten global food security. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) currently represents the most viable control strategy, combining cultural practices, mechanical interventions, biological control agents, and judicious pesticide use. Advances in host plant resistance, pheromone-based monitoring, and eco-friendly biopesticides provide promising tools, yet their effectiveness is constrained by the pest’s adaptability and resistance development. Future management requires region-specific, multidisciplinary solutions. Innovative technologies such as RNA interference (RNAi) have shown potential as a targeted, sustainable control method, demonstrating increased larval mortality and population suppression in preliminary studies. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the biology, ecology, and management of T. absoluta, while highlighting key research gaps and future directions to strengthen sustainable tomato production globally.