EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE DEVELOPMENT, LONGEVITY AND OVIPOSITION OF GREENHOUSE THRIPS (HELIOTHRIPS HAEMORRHOIDALIS) ON LEMON FRUIT

摘要

Greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis) is a major pest of horticultural crops worldwide, and in New Zealand it is particularly damaging on citrus, avocados and ornamentals. Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis development, oviposition and longevity were determined at five constant temperatures (16, 18, 20, 23 and 25 deg C) on unripe Yenben lemon fruit. Total developmental time (egg to adult) ranged from 72.9 days at 16 deg C to 28.4 days at 25 deg C. The rate of H. haemorrhoidalis oviposition was highest at 25 deg C, with an average of 1.4 eggs laid per day. Mean adult longevity ranged from 89.9 days at 25 deg C to 124 days at 16 deg C. It was estimated that 419.8 degree-days, above a lower threshold temperature of 10.1 deg C, were required to complete development from egg to adult. The developmental time predictions obtained from the degree-day model were validated under variable field conditions. Actual developmental times were generally within one day of times predicted by the model.