Update on the situation of Scirtothrips dorsalis in Brazil
In Brazil, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A2 List) was first recorded in a greenhouse in 2018 in the state of Ceará (EPPO RS 2020/216) and later on cocoa plants (Theobroma cacao) grown outdoors in Bahia state (RS 2023/055).
Surveys conducted in 2021 and 2022 detected S. dorsalis for the first time in the states of Espírito Santo, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Piauí and São Paulo. 52 specimens (38 females, 10 males and 4 larvae) were reported on rose bushes (Rosa sp.) in Minas Gerais in surveys in August 2021, November 2021 and March 2022. 8 adults (7 females and 1 male) were reported on macadamia trees (Macadamia integrifolia) in Espírito Santo in February 2021. 27 specimens (17 females, 4 males and 6 larvae) were reported on M. integrifolia in São Paulo in February and March 2021. One female adult, one male adult and one larva were found on Capsicum sp. in Piauí state in November 2022. In addition, the presence of 12 female adults collected in 2012 was reported on passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) in Maranhão state. The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological testing. Alves et al. (2026) consider that the spread of S. dorsalis in Brazil poses a threat to crop species in Brazil as these findings are in agriculturally important areas. The EPPO Secretariat did not previously have a record of M. integrifolia as a host plant of S. dorsalis.
The situation of Scirtothrips dorsalis in Brazil can be described as: Present, not widely distributed.
Sources
Alves EC, Marinho-Prado JS, Silva NM, Souza B, Moriya LM, Piza PL, Lima ÉF (2026) Spread of the polyphagous pest Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Brazilian crops. Phytoparasitica 54(2), 45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-026-01380-0