Spatial and temporal variation in Chaetanaphothrips orchidii Moulton (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) population and its damage on lemon.

Chaetanaphothrips orchidii Moulton has recently been detected in lemon (Citrus limon) orchards in northwest Argentina, causing high levels of damage on fruits. Severe damage results in the rejection of fruit for export, which must then be sold in the industry. However, the restrictions imposed by the citrus industry on insecticide residues sometimes also result in fruit rejection. Here, we studied the ecology and behavior of C. orchidii in order to propose a pest management strategy that could meet both export and industry demands. Seasonal occurrence and canopy distribution of C. orchidii in lemon orchards were evaluated, and field experimental manipulations of thrips populations were performed to analyze how the length (45, 100, 130, and 200 days) and timing (January, February, or March) of C. orchidii activity related with fruit damage. Lemons harvested during summer showed lower infestation levels (∼0.64 individual per fruit) than those harvested in winter (∼1.88 individuals per fruit). Higher proportions of damaged fruits were recorded in the lower part of the tree. Changes in the population levels of C. orchidii were closely associated with fruit phenology. The longer the lemon fruits were exposed to the thrips, the higher was the damage. However, the time of infestations did not affect fruit damage. Our data provide a first step towards understanding the factors that determine the severity of fruit damage caused by C. orchidii in northwest Argentina.