Economic Loss Potential of Cherry Tomato Pest Attacks based on Light Trap Data in Lembang
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Date
2025-12-10
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Abstract
Cherry tomato is a high-value horticultural crop in Indonesia, yet its productivity is frequently threatened by pest attacks that may cause economic losses. In many production areas, pest control decisions are still applied preventively without adequate population monitoring, leading to inefficiency and unnecessary production costs. This study aimed to assess the potential economic losses caused by pest attacks on cherry tomato, determine site-specific Economic Injury Level (EIL) and Economic Threshold (ET), and evaluate the economic feasibility of pest control using a Benefit–Cost Ratio (B/C) approach based on light trap data.
The study was conducted from October to November 2025 on a 300 m² cherry tomato field (850 plants) in Cibodas Village, Lembang District, West Java. Pest populations were monitored using light traps over eight observation periods. Economic analysis was performed by integrating yield loss, control costs, EIL, ET, and B/C ratio calculations.
Results showed that a total of 164 insects (such as Spodoptera, Mythimna, Lyriomiza, etc) were recorded, causing cumulative crop damage of only 0.492% and yield loss of 4.92 kg, equivalent to an economic loss of IDR 49,200 per 300 m². The calculated EIL and ET were 32,500 and 26,000 insects per 300 m², respectively. Observed pest populations were far below these thresholds. The B/C ratio of chemical control was 0.0757, indicating that pest control was not economically viable.
The study concludes that, during the early growth stage, pest management through intensive monitoring without chemical intervention is the most rational and economically efficient strategy, supporting Integrated Pest Management principles and sustainable horticultural production.