The thrips Frankliniella schultzei is an important watermelon pest. Nevertheless, economic injury levels and sampling plans for this pest have not yet been determined for this crop. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the economic injury levels and develop sequential sampling plans for F. schultzei in conditions of low, medium, and high fruit prices. The attack of F. schultzei on watermelon plants during the vegetative stage reduced the crop’s productivity. The economic injury levels were 0.09, 0.04, and 0.02 thrips per leaf when the watermelon price was low, medium, and high, respectively. The three sequential sampling plans for F. schultzei generated for the economic injury levels resulted in similar and more rapid decisions compared to the conventional plan, especially when the pest density was high. The three economic injury levels and the sequential sampling plans generated in the present study can be incorporated into integrated pest management programs for watermelon crops because these plans provide a rapid and adequate control decision for F. schultzei.
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