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5 October 2019 Geostatistical Assessment of Frankliniella schultzei (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Spatial Distribution in Commercial Watermelon Crops
Poliana Silvestre Pereira, Renato Almeida Sarmento, Carlos Henrique Oliveira Lima, Cleovan Barbosa Pinto, Gerson Adriano Silva, Gil Rodrigues dos Santos, Marcelo Coutinho Picanço
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Abstract

Spatial distribution studies of insect pests make it possible to determine their colonization and dispersal patterns. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. et Nakai) is among the most frequently consumed fruits in the world, and the common blossom thrips, Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) (Thysanoptera:Thripidae), is one of the most important insect pests of this plant. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of F. schultzei in commercial watermelon crops using geostatistics. The studied F. schultzei populations presented an aggregated distribution. The colonization of thrips began at the borders of the crops, especially in the areas located in the opposite direction to that of the prevailing winds. The highest densities of thrips occurred in crops that had cucurbits in the surrounding areas. When monitoring for F. schultzei populations, greater attention should be given to sampling that part of the crop located in the opposite direction to that of the prevailing winds because this is where colonization begins. Even at low densities, the aggregation points of thrips in the crop should be located and controlled so that they do not cause damage. In sampling programs for F. schultzei, samples should be taken at distances greater than 9 m apart because this is the distance up to which densities of this species show spatial dependence. Planting watermelon crops close to other cucurbits should be avoided, as these alternate hosts may act as a source of infestation by this pest.

© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Poliana Silvestre Pereira, Renato Almeida Sarmento, Carlos Henrique Oliveira Lima, Cleovan Barbosa Pinto, Gerson Adriano Silva, Gil Rodrigues dos Santos, and Marcelo Coutinho Picanço "Geostatistical Assessment of Frankliniella schultzei (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Spatial Distribution in Commercial Watermelon Crops," Journal of Economic Entomology 113(1), 489-495, (5 October 2019). https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz253
Received: 25 April 2019; Accepted: 19 August 2019; Published: 5 October 2019
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KEYWORDS
Citrullus lanatus
common blossom thrips
geostatistics
level of spatial dependence
surrounding vegetation
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