Influence of temperature and water vapor pressure deficit on survival of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The influence of temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were determined on larval, pupal, and adult stages of nonfeeding Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) under controlled laboratory conditions and on first instars confined to cucumber leaves under controlled greenhouse conditions. The influence of temperature and VPD on sanitation clean-up for control of thrips at the end of the growing season in the greenhouse was also determined. In laboratory trials, the larval stages exhibited lowest percentages of survival under the range of temperatures and VPDs tested. The adult stage had > 80% survival except with high VPDs at 25, 30, and 35 degree C. Pupae had 100% survival at all temperatures except 35 degree C, at which survival decreased to approximately equals 60% at the higher VPDs. A quadratic model was fitted to the response surfaces of the larval and adult stages. By using the quadratic model, it is possible to predict the response of the different stages of F. occidentalis to a range of hygrothermal conditions. Cage trials of first instars on cucumber leaves in the greenhouse also showed that high temperature and VPD will decrease the percentage survival of F. occidentalis . Sanitation trials demonstrated that 40 degree C and VPD greater than or equal to 4.76 kPa will control F. occidentalis at the end of the crop season when the greenhouse is being prepared for the next crop.