Chemical control of Pezothrips kellyanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in citrus plantations in Cyprus

Kelly's citrus thrips (KCT) Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) was first recorded in Cyprus in 1996 and has became an economic citrus pest. KCT larvae were the sole stage causing feeding damage mainly on immature lemon and grapefruit fruits. Information about bio-ecology and management of this species is very scarce because it is a new citrus pest in Cyprus and other countries. Various insecticides were evaluated in field trials in lemon and grapefruit plantations against larval stages I and II. The organophospate chlorpyrifos, the carbamate methomyl, and the neonicotinoid acetamiprid were the most effective. Depending on weather conditions and pest abundance, the first chemical spraying should be applied 2–3 weeks after massive petal fall and calyx closure at fruit-let stage, with a second application 1–2 weeks later.