The kairomone p-anisaldehyde increases the effectiveness of sticky traps for capturing Neohydatothrips signifer (Insecta: Thysanoptera) in yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) crops

Abstract

Thrips are important pest species in a wide variety of crops. Their cryptic behavior imposes a challenge for damage detection and population control with traditional methods (e.g., insecticides). Although the exploitation of chemical ecology strategies for thrip monitoring and mass-trapping is relatively widespread, the research in this regard in Neotropical regions is still scanty. In this study, we conducted a field experiment to test whether the kairomone p-anisaldehyde would increase the effectiveness of sticky traps for controlling (masstrapping) the thrip Neohydatothrips signifier. We found out that sticky traps equipped with the kairomone collected more thrips (nymphs + adults) through time, and this effect was not dependant on trap height. Additionally, we demonstrated that thrip incidence was quickly reduced in Passiflora edulis plants when surrounded by kairomone-containing sticky traps. Our results highlight the benefit of using kairomones in the integrated pest management programs for N. signifier as a straightforward selective method compatible with biological and chemical control strategies.