Mrs Jodie Cheesman1, Ms Donna Chambers1, Ms Charlee Macdonald1, Mr Bruno Rocha Tamelini1, Mr Mark Schutze1

1Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mareeba, Australia

Biography:

Jodie Cheesman is an entomologist based in Mareeba, working with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Jodie's research focuses on the management of fruit flies, which are a significant threat to the region's mango industry. Her work involves researching and developing sustainable pest control methods to protect mango crops and ensure the health of local agriculture.

Abstract:

Mango growers on the Atherton Tablelands frequently employ insecticidal sprays during the flowering period to mitigate thrips infestations, which are believed to cause significant damage to both flowers and fruit. This study aimed to identify the specific thrips species present in the region and evaluate how thrips damage evolved as fruit matured. A survey conducted among local growers resulted in the collection and identification of 2,740 thrips specimens. The predominant species was Frankliniella schultzei Trybom, which constituted nearly half of the identified thrips. Other species included Thrips imaginis Bagnall, Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan), and Haplothrips gowdeyi (Franklin). Longitudinal observations from flowering through to fruit maturity revealed that while initial thrips damage to young fruit often became less noticeable as the fruit developed, the damage remained discernible up to the point of harvest. This residual damage led to the downgrading of fruit quality, ultimately reducing marketability. The findings highlight the need for targeted thrips management strategies that minimize harm to pollinators while effectively controlling thrips populations to improve fruit quality and market value.