A Harmful Thrips Species on Lemon in The Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey: Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract

Some thrips species (Thysanoptera) are known as major pests because of causing the damage, especially to young citrus lemon fruits. Therefore, thrips surveys were carried out in from flowering period until the fruit reached a size of 4-5 cm in diameter in Adana and Mersin provinces, Turkey. In each orchard, 100 fruits were randomly collected and checked individually to determine thrips damage on young fruits. A total of 13 thysanopteran species were determined. Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) was the most common thrips species on different citrus varieties in Adana province, but Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) dominated thrips fauna in the citrus lemon groves in Mersin province. No thrips damage was recorded in the groves where F. occidentalis was commonly present. Thrips hawaiiensis appeared to be harmful on lemon flowers and fruits. Thrips caused silvery or bronzed stains on flowers and fruits. Thrips damage was observed in the mid-May when the flower density was low i.e. third or fourth weeks following petal fall. The staining rates on fruits due to T. hawaiiensis in the sampled lemon orchards ranged from 20 to 34%.

DNA barcoding, an effective approach for the identification of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in citrus orchards

“…With the importance of the citrus industry in Mexico, a deeper knowledge of the species diversity of thrips is required and this should include molecular taxonomy (Rugman-Jones et al 2006) to facilitate the design of an effective integrated pest management program for this insect (Rugman-Jones et al 2007). Orange and lime are considered the citrus crops most susceptible to thrips (Belaam & Boulahia 2019;Atakan & Pehlivan 2020). The main damage caused by thrips in citrus fruits result from the feeding activities of nymphs and adults, which cause silvery or bronze stains on the flowers and fruits (Lacasa et al 1996;Atakan & Pehlivan 2020).…”

“…Orange and lime are considered the citrus crops most susceptible to thrips (Belaam & Boulahia 2019;Atakan & Pehlivan 2020). The main damage caused by thrips in citrus fruits result from the feeding activities of nymphs and adults, which cause silvery or bronze stains on the flowers and fruits (Lacasa et al 1996;Atakan & Pehlivan 2020). Specifically, when nymphs are feeding, they form a ring of scarified tissue around the petiole and superficial wounds on the fruit; although this does not affect the development or the size of the fruit (Atakan et al 2016;Atakan & Pehlivan 2020), the economic value of these fruit is decreased (Atakan & Pehlivan 2020), affecting their commercial success (Lacasa et al 1996;Childers & Stansly 2005;Childers & Bullock 2009).…”

“…The main damage caused by thrips in citrus fruits result from the feeding activities of nymphs and adults, which cause silvery or bronze stains on the flowers and fruits (Lacasa et al 1996;Atakan & Pehlivan 2020). Specifically, when nymphs are feeding, they form a ring of scarified tissue around the petiole and superficial wounds on the fruit; although this does not affect the development or the size of the fruit (Atakan et al 2016;Atakan & Pehlivan 2020), the economic value of these fruit is decreased (Atakan & Pehlivan 2020), affecting their commercial success (Lacasa et al 1996;Childers & Stansly 2005;Childers & Bullock 2009).…”

“…Specifically, when nymphs are feeding, they form a ring of scarified tissue around the petiole and superficial wounds on the fruit; although this does not affect the development or the size of the fruit (Atakan et al . 2016; Atakan & Pehlivan 2020), the economic value of these fruit is decreased (Atakan & Pehlivan 2020), affecting their commercial success (Lacasa et al . 1996; Childers & Stansly 2005; Childers & Bullock 2009).…”

“…2007). Orange and lime are considered the citrus crops most susceptible to thrips (Belaam & Boulahia 2019; Atakan & Pehlivan 2020). The main damage caused by thrips in citrus fruits result from the feeding activities of nymphs and adults, which cause silvery or bronze stains on the flowers and fruits (Lacasa et al .…”