Анотация: The tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta, a devastating pest of tomato in South America, was reported from Spain in 2006 and has subsequently spread throughout many European countries, causing serious damages to tomato in the invaded areas. The pest can also develop on other cultivated plants, among which are peppers, eggplants and potatoes, posing a significant threat to agriculture. The present paper describes the major pathways for entry of the pest on the territory of Bulgaria and its potential for establishment and spread in the context of the Balkan region. It analyses the endangered areas in the country with emphasis on tomato cultivation, which is most at risk, and reviews the current national situation with examples of recent outbreaks