Influence of temperature on the development, reproduction and longevity ofCeratothripoides claratris(Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on tomatoes

Abstract

Ceratothripoides claratris (Shumsher) is a serious pest attacking tomatoes in Thailand. Temperature-dependent development of C. claratris was studied at seven constant temperatures, i.e. 22, 25, 27, 30, 34, 35 and 40°C. Pre-adult survivorship was greatest (95%) at 25 and 30°C and shortest at 22°C. Egg-to-adult time decreased within the range of 20 to 30°C and at 34°C it started to increase. The lower thermal threshold for egg-to-adult development was estimated at 16 and 18°C by linear regression and the modified Logan model, respectively. The optimum temperature for egg-to-adult development was estimated at 32-33°C by the modified Logan model. The influence of temperature on reproduction and longevity of C. claratris was determined at 25, 30 and 35 and 40°C. Both inseminated and virgin females failed to reproduce at 40°C. Virgin females produced only male offspring, confirming arrhenotoky. The sex ratio of the offspring of fertilized females was strongly female-biased, except at 25°C. Mean total fecundity per female and mean daily total fecundity per female were highest for both virgin and inseminated females at 30°C. Female longevity was longest at 25°C and shortest at 40°C. Male longevity was longest at 30°C and shortest at 40°C. The net reproductive rate (R 0 ) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m ) was greatest at 30°C while, mean generation time (G) and the doubling time (t) were highest at 25°C. The finite rate of increase (λ) was fairly constant (1.1-1.5 days) over the three temperatures tested. The pest potential of C. claratris for tropical Asia is discussed.

Manipulation of Ultraviolet Light Affects Immigration Behavior of <I>Ceratothripoides claratris</I> (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

“…Ceratothripoides claratris Shumsher (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an example for such a challenging species, and it is a major threat to greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicum spp.) production in Thailand (Premachandra et al 2004), causing severe damage either directly by piercing and wounding (feeding scars) leaves and stems of tomato or by vectoring the highly destructive Capsicum chlorosis virus, which can destroy an entire crop within very short time (Premachandra et al 2004(Premachandra et al , 2005aKnierim et al 2006). In addition to tomatoes, C. claratris is also a pest of other horticultural crops, including melon, pumpkin, cowpea, yard long bean, and chili (Murai et al 2000, Premachandra et al 2004.…”

Effects of cocoa tree phenology and canopy microclimate on the performance of the mirid bug Sahlbergella singularis

“…Measured at constant temperature, fecundity is usually limited by above-optimum temperatures for species of temperate regions (Nadgauda & Pitre, 1986;Morgan et al, 2001) as well as tropical species (Premachandra et al, 2004). The influence of climatic conditions on insect fecundity is well documented.…”

Soil application of different neem products to controlCeratothripoides claratris(Thysanoptera: Thripidae( on tomatoes grown under protected cultivation in the humid tropics (Thailand(

“…For instance, due to the different microclimatic conditions in the laboratory experiments, where plants grow in closed cages in a very humid environment, the evaporation and water transport from roots to leaves and therefore the translocation of soil-applied azadirachtin is reduced. Moreover, considering the optimal temperature for development of C. claratris at 32 -338C (Premachandra et al 2004), the conditions for the thrips development were suboptimal at laboratory with mean temperatures of 258C. This reduces feeding intensity and azadirachtin uptake of the insects.…”

“…The soil drenching was performed after the last irrigation cycle during the evening to prevent an immediate wash-out of the bio pesticide. Numbers of C. claratris were recorded following the procedure used by Premachandra et al (2004Premachandra et al ( , 2005b: a sample of one leaflet per plant randomly selected from the middle stratum characterizes infestation of the whole tomato plant. Initially, samples of 10 randomly selected plants per treatment were taken before the first application, and thereafter, weekly.…”

“…Thrips-proof netting, often used in temperate regions, in unsuitable in the tropics because it restricts air flow. The efficient adaptation of the thrips' life-cycle to high temperatures with high reproduction rates and a short generation time has led to extremely fast population increases after establishing in crops (Premachandra et al 2004(Premachandra et al , 2005c. Little is known currently about effective chemical or biological strategies.…”