P.J.R Cronjé

Thrips management During October and November citrus fruit is highly susceptible to damage from citrus thrips. Therefore, orchards should be scouted at least once a week for this pest, being sure to look under the sepals. Citrus thrips larvae cause more serious damage than adult thrips. Therefore, low numbers of adults in the absence of larvae may not require immediate intervention. The intervention threshold for citrus thrips larvae on fruit is 2% for the first four weeks after petal fall, 3% for five to six weeks after petal fall, then 4% for seven to eight weeks after petal fall. These thresholds can be roughly doubled if the population comprises mostly adults.