Population model of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in pepper fields in Korea

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), has spread nationwide with damage to vegetables and floricultural crops in South Korea. A population model was developed for F. occidentalis in pepper fields. The model was structured by the three developmental stages of F. occidentalis egg, larva-pupa, adult and the parameter values were estimated from the laboratory experiment data. The basic components of the model are stage-specific development models and oviposition model, and   mortality factors were incorporated. The population model predicted timing of the first occurrence of F. occidentalis well. The model was validated using data for adults’ density in pepper fields in South Korea. The population model of F. occidentalis developed in this study will be useful to predict its seasonal population dynamics in pepper fields.