In its latest crop status report, the Plant Health Service of the Region of Murcia confirmed the presence of the orchid thrips (Chaetanaphothrips orchidii). "Based on a warning from a grapefruit producer in the Campotejar area (Molina de Segura), staff from the Plant Health Service checked out the fruit for damage and tried to confirm which pest was affecting it. They collected specimens of these thrips for study."

"The damages produced are totally coincident with those described by the Plant Health Service of the Generalitat Valenciana, where they have been fighting against the Orchid thrips for several years. Although it causes damage to other citrus species, grapefruit seems especially susceptible to it given its delicate skin," the document states.

"The most likely origin of the pest, in this case, is the entry of material (field boxes) containing nymphs or adults from other infested areas into the farm. However, according to the extension of the focus that affects 100% of the exploitation, the introduction of the thrips must have occurred at least two years earlier. We fear that this pest will be dispersed in other plantations in the Region, given its ease of dispersion and its important presence in the Valencia Community, as operators in the sector have an important traditional relationship with operators from that neighboring region and there are even farms exploited by companies from that region."

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com