The complex of natural enemies of invasive species Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on greenhouse-grown tomato crops conditions from southern Romania

An obvious consequence of climate change is represented by the rapid spread and establishment of the invasive alien pest worldwide. Soon after its introduction in Romania, the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta is considered the greatest threat to protected tomato crops in the area from south of the country. Pest control is based mainly on spraying of chemical insecticides but augmentative biological control started to be used more and more by farmers. The indiscriminate use of pesticides against T. absoluta may result in undesirable consequences and effects including toxicity to non-target organisms. Gaining knowledge about indigenous natural enemies that adapt to this invasive species is essential for establishing safer and eco-friendly strategy of control. A complex survey on the T. absoluta natural enemies was conducted in 2020 in four localities from the main greenhouse-grown vegetable cultivation areas in southern Romania. The list of T. absoluta antagonists includes eleven predators and three parasitoids species. The paper also examines how differences in technology and protection means, currently used by farmers, influence these natural enemies’ diversity and dynamics by providing useful information for understanding their role in ecosystem services and a base for further modeling and development of sustainable IPM programs.