Ecobiology of A naphothrips obscurus , a new dweller of citrus orchards brought in by more sustainable pest management practices

The abundance and frequency of A naphothrips obscurus ( T hysanoptera: T hripidae) increased in a cover of F estuca arundinacea ( P oaceae) when this plant was used to improve the biological control of the clementine key pest T etranychus urticae ( A cari: T etranychidae). To unveil the ecological role of A . obscurus in this system, we re‐explored field data and performed laboratory studies aiming to determine its demographic parameters and feeding habits, as well as its role as a prey of predatory mites (Acari: P hytoseiidae) occurring in the S panish citrus agreoecosystem. Field studies indicate that T . urticae populations decreased, whereas those of A . obscurus and phytoseiids, as a whole, increased. Reproductive and demographic parameters of macropterous and brachypterous morphs of A . obscurus were different and confirmed the host status of F . arundinacea . A naphothrips obscurus could compete with T . urticae as a result of its higher intrinsic rate of increase in F . arundinacea . However, A . obscurus zoophagy on T . urticae eggs and the host status of citrus can be discarded. A naphothrips obscurus can be a prey for E useius stipulatus , N eoseiulus barkeri and N eoseiulus californicus (three phytoseiids preying on T . urticae ), suggesting that apparent competition between A . obscurus and T . urticae could occur in citrus orchards.