Seasonal abundance of different stages of the citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii, on two mango cultivars in South Africa

The citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii Faure (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), i s a pest of mango in South Africa. The aim of the study was to monitor the different stages of S. aurantii in mango orchards throughout the year. Popu lations of S. aurantii were monitored using different methods, i.e., yellow sticky traps, dispersal/emergence traps, counts on fruit and in flowers. E ggs and emergence holes on the new leaves were recorded. The number of adul ts increased at the end of flowering (September) and remained at high level s until fruiting (November). Low numbers were present from May to August. M uch higher population levels were present during 1995/96 than during the 19 96/97 season. There was higher infestation present on the cultivar 'Sensati on' than on 'Zill'. S. aurantii was present on the fruit for only a short p eriod (less than 10 weeks) during the season and the population was maintai ned on Rush that was present throughout the year.