Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) as a pest of citrus in Fars province, Iran

Species of the genus Scirtothrips Shull are minute insects of which several are major pests on the leaves of various crops around the world. In this study, S. dorsalis is recorded for the first time from Iran. Body mainly yellow but antecostal ridge on tergites and sternites is dark brown and distal antennal segments are brown. Abdominal sternites covered with rows of microtrichia except anteromedially. A huge population of the species was collected in citrus orchards of Jahrom, Fars province, southern Iran in spring and summer of 2015. Thrips feeding causes several distortions on the leaves including narrowing and thickness on the leaves. On fruits, this pest punctures epidermal cells, leaving silvery scars or scabby on the rind. The effects of S. dorsalis on leaves as well as fruits are described and illustrated. The possibility of virus transmission by S. dorsalis has been discussed. Diagnosis characters as well as relative figures are provided.