Potential new Tomato pests

Two new potential pests were reported at a recent TGA Technical meeting. These were: Tortrix Moth, (Platynota stultana) originally from N America (causing damage to crops in the EU) there is a Fera fact-sheet covering this. The TGA Tech felt it was important to make packhouses aware of the potential issue and circulate the factsheet (PDF) to members.

The second pest is a Gall Midge (Lasioptera sp) which can get into fruit and stems causing serious economic cost through direct damage as well as gall induction.
Dominic Ayre at Fera (York) informed the committee that a Dutch fact-sheet exists: www.vwa.nl/actueel/bestanden/bestand/2206042/quickscan-lasiopt.

Your TGA Technical committee will keep a watching brief on these two potential pests of British Tomato crops. And act when necessary. In the meantime, importers of produce may wish to circulate the relevant fact-sheets within their business to ensure any early sightings can be dealt with appropriately. Copies of each will be available on the Technical news members area on the TGA website. If you needs an access code, please contact the TGA office: T: +44(0) 1243 554 859, [email protected]

Source: TGA Newsletter