Development of an adapted biocontrol-based program for Scirtothrips control in strawberry

Abstract: Strawberry crops are affected by several thrips species in the Mediterranean region
among which Frankliniella occidentalis has been typically the most important. This pest has
been successfully controlled by releasing the anthocorid bug Orius laevigatus. However, over
the last years, two species of the genus Scirtothrips, i. e., S. aurantii and particularly S. dorsalis, have become quite important due to the severe fruit damage that they can provoke when feeding and the subsequent economic losses for growers. Unfortunately, O. laevigatus was not found to provide good control of these pests by itself and thus the existing biocontrol-based IPM program needed to be improved. Consequently, we initiated a research project aimed at developing an effective biocontrol-based program for the control of these pests. Here we present the results that served to develop this program, which demonstrated that the combination of phytoseiid mites with O. laevigatus can be an effective and sustainable alternative to the pesticide use for the control of thrips pests in strawberry crops.