Biology and Life Table Parameters of Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood 1919 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Tea Cultivars

Abstract The information on life cycle and population growth parameters of a pest is essential for designing and development of an effective management program. In this article, the biology and life table parameters of the yellow tea thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), were studied on three selected tea cultivars viz., TV1, TV17 and TV23 in a laboratory condition of 25°C ± 2°C, 70–80% relative humidity (RH) and a 12L: 12D photoperiod. The maximum and minimum total developmental period of S. dorsalis from egg to adult was observed on TV23 and TV1 respectively. The adult female longevity was found to be maximum on TV1 and minimum on TV23. Life table analyses revealed that the net reproductive rate (R0) was maximum on TV17 and minimum on TV23. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ) and weekly multiplication rate (erm.7) were maximum on TV1 and minimum on TV23. The doubling time was maximum for the population on TV23 and minimum on TV1. The results indicated that the growth and adult reproductive parameters were affected by the three different cultivars of tea which could be applied in tea thrips control management.