Peter Kiiru, a field officer with East African Seeds Company, told farmers during a field day at Meru University of Science and Technology that the Tuta absoluta moth often lays eggs inside the fruits. The eggs then find their way into crates during transportation, enabling the spread of the disease.
“Most farmers do not own crates, which in most cases are brought by buyers on the farm. Since the crates are moved from one farm to another, this transmits the pest," Mburu said.
He advised farmers not to use one type of insecticide against the moth because of its short life cycle, which makes it resistant.
“Don’t use one type of insecticide to control the pest as it takes four to 10 days to mature depending on the ecological zone.”
Source: Daily Nation (Elijah Mwangi)