Kelly's citrus thrips

Kelly's citrus thrips (Pezothrips kellyanus) is a significant agricultural pest belonging to the order Thysanoptera and the family Thripidae. Originally from Australia, this insect has become a major concern for citrus growers globally due to its invasive potential and the aesthetic damage it causes to marketable fruit.

The primary hosts for this pest are citrus species, including lemons, oranges, and mandarins. The thrips are particularly attracted to young, developing fruit, although they also colonize blossoms and young foliage. In addition to citrus, they can infest various ornamental plants and other fruit crops, which contributes to their survival in diverse environmental settings.

The biology of Pezothrips kellyanus involves a life cycle consisting of egg, two larval stages, prepupa, pupa, and adult. Pupation typically occurs in the soil or protected crevices of the plant. The population density is heavily influenced by climatic conditions, with warm and humid weather accelerating the reproductive cycle and increasing the number of generations per year.

The economic damage is caused primarily by the feeding activities of larvae and adults. They pierce the epidermis of young fruit to feed on sap, which results in necrotic, ring-like scars or corky scabs as the fruit matures. While the internal quality of the fruit is rarely affected, the external scarring significantly reduces the grade and market value of the harvest.

Control strategies should focus on integrated pest management (IPM). Key practices include:

• Regular monitoring with yellow or blue sticky traps to detect early infestations.
• Application of selective insecticides during the vulnerable early-fruit stage.
• Implementation of strict phytosanitary measures for nursery stock movement.
• Maintenance of orchard hygiene to remove potential overwintering habitats.