Introduction: 

Yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) is a key tropical crop in Colombia, with export potential limited by thrips Neohydatothrips signifer infestations. The objective of this study was to propose and implement an integrated thrips management strategy that complies with the phytosanitary requirements of the European market. This strategy combined climatic models, environmental indicators, insecticide efficacy assessments, and an economic analysis to promote sustainability and regulatory compliance in export-oriented production.

Methods: 

Field monitoring was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in a commercial orchard located in Suaza, Huila, southern Colombia. Thrips populations were distributed across sampling points, applying a standardized tapping method on vegetative terminals. Climate variables such as temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and solar radiation were recorded and analyzed using regression-based models to predict pest dynamics, monitored twice per week across nine experimental units using 54 randomly distributed sampling points. Insecticide efficacy, individually and in mixtures, was evaluated using a modified Abbott model, while environmental impact was quantified based on the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ). Economic analysis was conducted to estimate thrips management costs in relation to the phytosanitary strategy.

Results: 

Thrips populations peaked during flowering (>20 individuals per terminal shoot) and declined under higher rainfall, with abundance significantly correlated with minimum temperature (r = 0.63) and relative humidity (r = –0.57; p < 0.05). The best climate-based predictive model was the negative binomial, with temperature and rainfall as the main drivers. Insecticide mixtures did not improve the efficacy of control applications, with antagonistic interactions being observed on several occasions. The Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) associated with chemical applications during the study period was 19.7, while residue analyses confirmed compliance with European Union maximum residue limits (EU MRLs).

Discussion: 

Thrips management accounted for 38% of total phytosanitary costs, with the highest expenditures occurring during the flowering (42%) and fruiting (35%) stages. These results show that combining predictive climate models, targeted insecticide mixtures, and sustainability management improves thrips management efficiency, cost effectiveness, and export compliance.