Thrips Species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Brazilian Papaya (Brassicales: Caricaceae) Orchards as Potential Virus Vectors

Abstract

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are pests of many fruit crops because they cause feeding damage or act as virus vectors. Seven thrips species were collected using Moericke yellow traps in papaya (Brassicales: Caricaceae) orchards, and Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard), the most frequent one (76.6%), occurred during all months evaluated. This is the first record of Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) and F. australis Morgan in papaya orchards. Some of these species are minor pests of papaya, but some of them, such as F. schultzei, were reported as virus vectors to other commercial crops. The importance of these findings and needs for future research are discussed.