Management of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Australian strawberry crops: within‐plant distribution characteristics and action thresholds

Abstract

Management of thrips in a hydroponic strawberry crop near Sydney, New South Wales, was studied from 1999 to 2002. The main species present were western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), plague thrips, Thrips imaginis Bagnall, and, occasionally, onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman. Their within-and between-plant distribution and the degree and type of damage caused are described, and used to recommend action thresholds. Flowers are identified as the primary monitoring site, and young green fruit as the key damage site. Action thresholds of approximately 45% of flowers with 5 or more adult western flower thrips, or 40% of flowers with 10 or more adult plague thrips are recommended. Alternative thresholds using all motile stages are given for flowers, and for young green and red berries. A higher tolerance is recommended during cool, wet periods.

Caracterização das injúrias causadas por Frankliniella occidentalis no morangueiro

“…Dos 24 frutos com sinais de alimentação, em apenas 8,3%, a área com bronzeamento foi superior a 40% em relação à superfície total (Tabela 1). A alimentação de F. occidentalis em frutos verdes causa bronzeamento na superfície da polpa, resultando em um fruto opaco, com curta vida de prateleira após a maturação (STEINER & GOODWIN, 2005).…”

“…O bronzeamento nos frutos maduros restringe-se à área ao redor das sementes, sendo menos evidente em função da coloração que estes adquirem na maturação (STEINER & GOODWIN, 2005). Além disso, em relação aos frutos maduros, uma infestação superior a 25 tripes/fruto pode torná-los opacos, irregulares e de consistência mole, além de terem a meiavida de prateleira reduzida, tornando-os inadequados para exportação (COLL et al, 2007).…”

“…Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) é uma espécie associada à cultura do morangueiro em diversos países produtores da fruta, como Estados Unidos da América (EUA), Bélgica, França, Espanha, Turquia, Suíça, Holanda e Austrália (STEINER & GOODWIN, 2005, NONDILLO et al, 2008. No entanto, as injúrias causadas por F. occidentalis na cultura são contestadas principalmente quando se atribui ao inseto a responsabilidade pelas deformações nos frutos (COLL et al, 2007).…”

Species of thrips (Insecta, Thysanoptera) in two strawberry production systems in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

“…The results show that flowers are the most important food resource for these insects on strawberry plants. Frankliniella rodeos, F. simplex, F. williamsi, C. fasciatus 419-423, setembro, 2011 Several species are associated with strawberry crops in Australia, according to Steiner & Goodwin (2005 (Bagnal, 1926), and Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood, 1919). In Florida, USA, according to Mass (1998), the more important species damaging strawberry plants are Frankliniella tritici (Fitch) and Frankliniella bispinosa (Morgan, 1913).…”

Predatory mites double the economic injury level of Frankliniella occidentalis in strawberry

“…For example, thrips may cause relatively more damage at higher temperatures (Steiner and Goodwin 2005a), and where higher thrips numbers are tolerated, fruit weight is affected as well as bronzing (Coll et al 2007). In UK crops, unacceptable fruit bronzing usually occurs before fruit weight is affected.…”