Occurrence of Japanese gall-forming thrips, Ponticulothrips diospyrosi was surveyed from 143 orchards at 11 cities or counties in 6 provinces, Korea from 2008 to 2009. Occurrence of P. diospyrosi was not observed from Jeju (4 persimmon orchards) in Jeju-do and Wanju (12 persimmon orchards) in Jeollabuk-do. However, P. diospyrosi occurred newly in the orchards in Sanchung, Gyeongsangnam-do and in Gangreung, Gangwon-do. Rate of damaged orchards by P. diospyrosi in Gumi, Mungyeong, Sangju and Euseong in Gyeongsangbuk-do (73.3%) was higher than that of in Gyeongsangnam-do or Youngdong areas in Chungcheongbuk-do. A maximum rate of damaged trees by P. diospyrosi was 23.5% in Gumi, while the damage was lower in Sancheong and Jinju representing 0.2 and 1.6%, respectively. Rate of damaged leaves by P. diospyrosi was the highest in Sangju (0.12%). P. diospyrosi occurred between N35°07′50″ and 35°51′24″ and between E127°38′36″ to 128°53′02″. Persimmon orchards close to mountain were more damaged by P. diospyrosi. Edge parts of persimmon orchards were more damaged by P. diospyrosi than inner parts, especially in orchards close to mountain. Also, the middle and lower parts of tree canopy were more damaged by P. diospyrosi than the upper parts of canopy.

The damaged area by and the distribution of Japanese gall forming thrips, Ponticulothrips diospyrosi Haga et Okajima (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) in Korea were surveyed based on the answers of persimmon growers to questionnaire. Seasonal occurrence of each developmental stage was estimated by monitoring the individuals in damaged leaves, and effect of trap site and side of sticky board were studied by yellow sticky traps at three sweet persimmon orchards in Gimhae and Jinju (orchards A and B), Gyeongnam province, Korea in 2005. P. diospyrosi gave damage to astringent per-simmon as well as sweet one. The damaged area of persimmon orchard has sharply increased since 2000, reaching 446 ㏊ nationwide, Gyeongnam province was most severely damaged, followed by Gyeongbuk and Jeonnam provinces. Most of the farmers answered that they sprayed insecticides and removed the damaged leaves to control P. diospyrosi. The overwintered adults were observed in the damaged-rolled leaves from mid May and the 1st generation adults from early-mid June. No thrips were observed in the damaged leaves after mid July. Yellow sticky trap data showed that peak adults catch of the overwintered generation was mid May, and that of the 1st generation was mid-late June in Gimhae and late June in Jinju. Sticky traps set at orchard-pine forest border caught significantly more number of the 1st generation adults than those at the orchard center, even though timing of peak catches was not different between the two sites. There was a tendency of more catches on the side of sticky trap facing pine forest than the other side facing orchard center, even though the catches on both sides showed no statistical difference.

경남 김해와 창원의 단감원에서 감관총채별레(Ponticulothrips diospyrosi Haga et Okajima)의 발생생태와 피해양상을 조사하였다. 황색끈끈이 트랩 조사(2002년)와 피해권엽 내부 정밀조사(2002,2003년)에 의하면 월동세대 성충은 4월 하순부터 5월 하순 사이에 월동처에서 단감원으로 이동하여 단감의 새 잎에 산란하며, 제 1세대 성충의 발생 최성기는 6월 상중순이었다. 피해권엽 정밀조사에 의한 제1세대 난, 약충, 번데기의 발생 최성기는 각각 5월 상중순, 5월 하순6월 상순, 6월 상순이었다. 대부분의 제1세대 성충은 우화후 월동처로 이동하지만 일부 성충이 산란한 개체가 발육하여 제2세대 성충이 되는데, 7월 하순 이후에 발생하는 성충이 제2세대 성충인 것으로 생각된다. 피해엽율은 시기가 경과할수록 증가하였으며 창원포장에서 6월 상순에 9.7%로 가장 높았다. 피해과율은 6월 중순 낙화 이후부터 관찰되었으며 김해 B포장에서 9월 상순의 피해과율이 30.2%로 가장 높았다. 과수원의 가장자리에 가까이 위치한 나무일수록 피해엽 발생시기가 빨랐으며, 특히 소나무 군락을 중심으로 l0m이내에 피해가 심하였다. 성충의 발생시기와 관련하여 방제시기 문제를 고찰하였다.

창원의 단감 과수원에서 2000년 6월 하순에 해충에 의한 피해 잎에서 총채벌레를 채집하여 분류한 결과, 우리나라에서는 처음으로 보고되는 관총태벌레科(Phlaeothripidae)의 감관총채벌레(신칭)(Ponticulothrips diospyrosi)로 확인되었다. 이 종의 간략한 형태 및 생태학적 특성, 피해증상, 경남 도내에서의 분포현황을 마련하였다