FIRST RECORD OF TUTA ABSOLUTA (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE) IN SENEGAL

An invasive pest of South American origin, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a devastating pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), is reported for the first time in Senegal in 2012. It was first reported in Spain in 2006 and since then it has spread to most of Europe and Mediterranean region. Its occurrence in Senegal is a serious concern as it is likely to spread from there to the rest of West and Central Africa in the near future.