Responses of five adult thrips species (Thysanoptera; Thripidae) to high-carbon dioxide atmospheres at different temperatures

Abstract

The effect of high carbon dioxide atmospheres (60% CO2) at different temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 34°C) on adult female mortality in Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom), Thrips tabaci Lindeman, Thrips palmi Karny, and Thrips parvispinus Karny were tested. Mortality of the five thrips species increased with CO2 exposure duration at each temperature. Median lethal times (LT50) and times required to achieve 100% mortality due to CO2 exposure decreased with increasing temperature, for all thrips species. Exposure to 60% CO2 atmospheres at 30°C is considered to be 100% lethal within 24 h to most pests of fresh agricultural produce. Our findings suggest that CO2 treatment could be used to propagate thrips-free plants in horticultural nurseries, and as a quarantine tool for controlling insects in/on transported plants.