천적과 함께 천적의 서식처를 복합적으로 사용하는 Natural Enemy in First method; NEF전략을 국립수목원 열대식물자원연구센터에 적용하여 총채벌레 방제효과를 평가하였다. 그 결과 5년간 지속적인 총채벌레 밀도 억제효과를 확인하였으며, 특히 천적 적용 3년차에는 총채벌레 의 평균 밀도가 엽당 1.8마리로 전년대비 64.1%, 5년차에는 엽당 0.003마리로 전년대비 99.6%의 밀도 감소효과를 확인하였다. 또한 최초 천적 방 사 시의 천적 밀도와 비교해서 4년 후에 평균 31배 이상 높아졌다. 따라서 지속적인 천적의 적용과 해충 밀도가 증가하기 전에 예방적으로 천적을 처리하는 NEF전략이 총채벌레 방제에 효과적이었다.
The effectiveness of controlling thrips using the “Natural Enemy in First Method” (NEF) strategy, which combines solitary treatment with habitats, was evaluated at the Tropical Plant Resources Research Center of the National Arboretum. A continuous suppression effect on thrips density was observed over five years. Notably, in the third year of natural enemy application, the average density of thrips was 1.8 per leaf, showing a 64.1% reduction compared with the previous year. In the fifth year, the density was 0.003 per leaf, indicating a 99.6% decrease compared with the previous year. Furthermore, compared to the density of natural enemies at the time of initial release, the average density increased by more than 31 times after four years. Therefore, the NEF strategy, which involves continuous application of natural enemies and proactive treatment before an increase in pest density, proved to be effective in controlling thrips.