Project Coordinator:
Dr Tim Grout

Collaborating researchers and technicians involved:
Dr Tim Grout, Dr Sean Moore, Peter Stephen, Wayne Kirkman

Research on citrus cosmetic pests:
This project deals with all aspects pertaining to the management of citrus cosmetic pests: citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii, all phytophagous mites and other lepidopteran and homopteran pests causing cosmetic damage on citrus.
There is a continuous search for more IPM-compatible thripicides because products used for thrips control are often detrimental to the natural enemies of other key pests. Citrus thrips is indigenous and the understanding of population dynamics is far from complete. It is likely that no single natural enemy is responsible for suppressing populations but a complex of arthropod predators and a parasitoid, in addition to density independent factors. The use of NPVs for the control of Helicoverpa armigera is under investigation. Promising results have been obtained and may lead to more IPM-compatible treatment options than those currently in use.