Chilli thrips oviposition behavior: a comparative study among strawberry cultivars

Area of Science:

• Horticultural Entomology
• Plant-Insect Interactions
• Pest Management

Background:

• Chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) are a significant invasive pest in Florida strawberry production.
• Insecticides are the primary management strategy, but pest resistance is a growing concern.
• Host-plant resistance (HPR) offers a sustainable alternative, but its mechanisms in strawberries against chilli thrips are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate oviposition preference of chilli thrips (S. dorsalis) among seven commercial strawberry cultivars.
• To identify strawberry cultivars that may possess antixenosis or antibiosis traits against S. dorsalis.

Main Methods:

• An oviposition choice test was conducted using seven strawberry cultivars: "Florida Brilliance," "Florida Medallion" (FL 16.30-128), "Sweet Sensation" (Florida 127), "Florida Pearl" (FL 16.78-109), "Strawberry Festival," "Florida Beauty," and "Florida Radiance."
• Greenhouse-grown plants were infested with adult female S. dorsalis.
• Egg counts and hatching percentages were assessed for each cultivar across five replicates and two study repetitions.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in S. dorsalis egg deposition were observed among cultivars.
• "Florida Pearl" (FL 16.78-109), "Florida Beauty," and "Strawberry Festival" exhibited higher egg numbers in leaf tissues compared to other cultivars.
• Egg hatching percentages did not show a consistent trend across cultivars.

Conclusions:

• Certain strawberry cultivars demonstrate a strong preference for S. dorsalis oviposition.
• This cultivar preference can be leveraged for developing HPR strategies to manage chilli thrips in strawberry crops.
• Further research into antibiosis and antixenosis mechanisms is warranted for effective HPR implementation.