Seasonal trends in the rate of population increase of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on cucumber

Abstract

AbstractThe developmental rate of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) was determined on cucumber Cucumis sativus cv. Sandra over a range of constant temperatures. The lower developmental threshold (LDT) and the sum of effective temperatures (SET) for the pre-imaginal development were 10.7°C and 231.1°C, respectively. The rate of population increase was assessed as the sum of effective temperatures above the lower developmental threshold by monitoring the numbers of thrips on individual leaves of cucumber under commercial greenhouse conditions. Population growth was characterized by an early stochastic phase, corresponding to pre-imaginal development of the first generation, and followed by an exponential phase starting with the second generation, the rate of which did not vary between plants. Throughout the exponential phase, the rate of population growth increased with time/age of plant. As significant damage to cucumber may occur during the exponential phase of population increase, the sum of effective temperatures of 231°C can be used to predict when damage is likely to start to occur.