Citrus thrips

Scirtothrips aurantii

1. Identification

• Common name: Citrus thrips
• Scientific name: Scirtothrips aurantii Faure
• Order: Thysanoptera
• Family: Thripidae

2. Pest description

• Small-sized thrips species (approx. 1 mm), with a narrow body and yellow to light-brown coloration.
• Pale nymphs, generally present on young leaves, shoots and new fruits.
• Feeds by rasping plant tissues and sucking the cell contents.
• Pest of high economic importance in citrus and other subtropical crops.

3. Main hosts

• Citrus (orange tree, mandarin tree, lemon tree).
• Mango, avocado and other subtropical fruit trees.
• Ornamentals and volunteer plants that act as a reservoir.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Damage mainly on young leaves and new fruits.
• Silvering, discoloration and deformations on leaves.
• Superficial scars, spots and a “russeting” appearance on the fruits.
• Reduction in commercial quality, especially in fruits intended for the fresh market.
• More severe damage during hot and dry periods.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs inserted into plant tissues, especially in young leaves.
• Nymphs feed actively on shoots and new fruits.
• Pre-pupa and pupa in the soil or in plant debris.
• Rapid cycle under hot conditions, allowing several generations per year.
• Population peaks in spring and summer.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of symptoms and insects on young leaves and new fruits.
• Yellow sticky traps for detection and counting.
• Regular sampling in citrus orchards.
• Reinforced monitoring during dry and hot periods.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: removal of plant residues; control of volunteer plants; adequate irrigation management to reduce water stress.
• Preventive: use of pest-free plants; insect-proof nets; strict cultural hygiene.
• Biological: promotion of natural enemies, including predatory mites and bugs (Orius spp.).
• Integrated protection: judicious application of authorized insecticides; rotation of modes of action; integration with biological control.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Scirtothrips aurantii.
• CABI – Invasive Species Compendium – Scirtothrips aurantii.
• Kirk, W. D. J. (1997). Feeding behaviour and nutritional requirements of thrips. In: Thrips as Crop Pests.
• Mound, L. A. & Teulon, D. A. J. (1995). Thysanoptera as phytophagous pests. Annual Review of Entomology.
• Samways, M. J. (1986). Scirtothrips aurantii as a pest of citrus in southern Africa. Journal of Applied Entomology.