Thrips species biodiversity and dynamic populations in an organic Citrus orchard in northeastern Tunisia

Abstract

Thrips species diversity in a Citrus organic orchard in the region of Mograne in Northeastern Tunisia based on biodiversity parameters (Shannon index, dominance, and equitability) showed the existence of ten thrips species. Among those species, five are phytophagous: Thrips tabaci, Thrips angusticeps, Frankliniella occidentalis, Limothrips denticornis, and Melanthrips fuscus. The remaining species are predatory: Aeolothrips tenuicornis, Aeolothrips fasciatus, Aeolothrips intermedius, Franklinothrips meaglops, and one genus, Haplothrips sp. The most abundant species are Aeolothrips intermedius (55%) followed by Thrips angusticeps and Haplothrips cottei (the same percentage of 11%), F. occidentalis and T.tabaci (5% and 6%, respectively), Aeolothrips fasciatus and Limothrips denticornis (3% and 4%) then Aeolothrips tennuicornis and Melanthrips fuscus (the same percentage of 2%). The species Franklinothrips megalops is less abundant (1%). The evolution of different thrips species revealed that the emergence reached high levels in March and April. Biodiversity indexes showed a case of lower dominance and higher equitability.