Reseach Associate 1 University of Texas Harlingen, Texas
Abstract: The Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius) (BPT), an invasive species native to South America, has established extensive populations along the Gulf Coast in North America, threatening native ecosystems with its rapid growth, prolific seed production, and resilience to ecological perturbations.To combat its spread, biological control methods employing Pseudophilothrips ichini (P. ichini), commonly known as Brazilian peppertree thrips, have been explored. These thrips consume plant tissues, thereby impeding the health and growth of the BPT. In this study, we investigate the efficacy of mass rearing P. ichini as a biological control agent by examining different infestation quantities. Thrips were reared at a USDA facility under a cooperative agreement with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, with infestation levels ranging from 60 to 140 thrips per cage in increments of 20.Our findings aim to identify the optimal infestation quantity that maximizes thrips yield, providing insights to enhance future biological control strategies against the Brazilian peppertree.