African Entomology (2003) 11, 39-48

T. Grove, J.H. Giliomee and K.L. Pringle (2003)
The relationship between citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii (Thysanoptera : Thripidae), abundance and fruit size in mango orchards
African Entomology 11 (1), 39-48
Abstract: Population levels of the citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii Faure (Thysanoptera : Thripidae), were monitored for two consecutive seasons in mango (Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae)) orchards in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Yellow sticky card traps were used to monitor adult numbers, while counts on the fruit were conducted to monitor numbers of adults and larvae. Fruit size was measured throughout the season. Hoerl's function (Y = aXb ecX) was used to describe the relationship between the number of S. aurantii on the fruit and fruit size, as well as the number on the traps and fruit size. A notable feature in the population dynamics of S. aurantii was the rapid decline in numbers after the population peak had been reached. The highest numbers of S. aurantii were present between fruit set and when fruit reached 40 mm in length. Fruit size can therefore be used as an indicator of potentially damaging number. Producers should do regular monitoring from fruit set until fruit reach 40 mm.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Jan H. Giliomee, Tertia Grové, Ken L. Pringle

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Scirtothrips aurantii	Citrus (genus)	South Africa