Foundations for the development of biological and ethological control strategies of the fruit borer Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in exotic Andean solanaceae fruits.

The demand for solanaceae fruits such as tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) and lulo or naranjilla (Solanum quitoense) has increased, especially for fresh consumption. The exclusive flavor of these fruits also attracts attention in international markets such as Japan, the United States and Europe. In Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador, the tomato fruit borer, N. elegantalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is the most important pest and, together with fungal diseases, is responsible for the use of significant amounts of agrochemicals for its control. 

 Biological control is an alternative measure with good success possibilities, since these fruit trees are semi-perennial, which would facilitate the establishment of parasitoids. An adequate population management program for the insect must consider basic studies that allow understanding with certainty the insect's different ecological relationships with the host plant, natural enemies, and the environment. This was the central premise of the project. 

The project faced important challenges such as the unexpected departure of Venezuela and the incorporation of Ecuador, as well as climatic conditions that made it difficult for symptoms to appear or for the effective establishment of the proposed biological controllers. Despite this, the knowledge generated was significant and provided clear guidelines for the design of biological and ethological control programs for N. elegantalis with solid scientific bases.