Interaction between natural enemies and insecticides used for the management of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in three cultivatars of strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa duchesne (Rosaceae)

[Truncated abstract] Integrated pest management (IPM) relies on the use of multiple tactics to reduce pest numbers below an economic threshold. One of the challenges for the implementation of IPM is using both insecticides and biological control. This is particularly difficult in horticultural crops where very little damage can be tolerated. Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a worldwide pest of economic importance associated with cultivated crops, ornamentals and weeds. It is considered a major pest of strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne (Rosaceae), and can be responsible for substantial yield loss. Insecticides are the main method of control for F. occidentalis in strawberry and other crops. Due to the rapid development of insecticide resistance and the limitations of existing biological control in Australia, there is a need to incorporate insecticides, natural enemies, and resistant host plants to keep the population below an economic threshold. This project sought to (i) evaluate commercial strawberry varieties for feeding and oviposition preferences of F. occidentalis, (ii) assess the compatibility of natural enemies with an insecticide currently used for F. occidentalis control in IPM programs, (iii) assess the effectiveness of the release of multiple species of natural enemies, (iv) determine the residual threshold of an insecticide which controls F. occidentalis effectively whilst having a reduced effect on natural enemies, and (v) assess the compatibility of natural enemies with an increased rate of an insecticide to manage an insecticide-resistant strain. Frankliniella occidentalis showed a distinctive olfactory preference in a choice trial evaluating the feeding preference of F. occidentalis to strawberry cultivars (Camarosa, Albion and Camino Real). Frankliniella occidentalis was attracted most to Camarosa for both feeding and oviposition, followed by Albion and Camino Real.