Western flower thrips

Page last edited 4,790 days ago
From WikiGardener
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Thrips
Western flower thrips
Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Thysanoptera
Family: Thripidae
Genus: Frankliniella
Species: Frankliniella occidentalis
Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination
Areas where western flower thrips have been confirmed to inhabit
Synonyms
Alfalfa thrips

Blütenthrips (German)
Thrips californien (French)
Thrips des petits fruits (French)
Western flower thrips
Frankliniella californica (Moulton)
Frankliniella helianthi (Moulton)
Frankliniella moultoni Hood

Frankliniella trehernei Morgan

Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is a remarkably polyphagous species with 244 plant species from 62 families being recorded as hosts. In the USA, the pest is found outdoors attacking the flowers of apricots, peaches and nectarines, plums, roses, carnations, sweet peas, Gladiolus, peas, tomatoes, Capsicum, Cucurbits and strawberries. Other hosts in the USA include: Beta, carrots, cotton, grapefruits, grapes, onions, Phaseolus, Purshia tridentata, safflower. In Europe it is generally found only on glasshouse crops on an ever-increasing range of host plants, but most commonly on chrysanthemums, Gerbera, roses and Saintpaulia.[1]

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The major symptoms of F. occidentalis infestation include a discoloration of the upper leaf surface, and indentation where damage occurs. The pattern of damage is coarser than damage by Thrips tabaci. Silvering, deformity, growth malfunction and brown bumps may also be present on the foliage of ornamental plants. 'Halo spotting', another symptom of thrips damage, consists of small dark scars surrounded by whitish tissue. On some host plants, e.g. Capsicum, oviposition causes a reaction of the surrounding plant tissue.[1]

Thrips feeding causes discoloration and scarring of open blooms and petals. It also results in deformation of buds if the feeding occurs before they start opening. Thrips damage can be distinguished from spider-mite damage by the appearance of liquid faecal deposits which cause dark-green speckling, whereas spider mites produce black granules.[1]

Eggs laid in petal tissue causes a 'pimpling' effect in flowers such as orchids.[1]

Control[edit | edit source]

Chemical[edit | edit source]

Chemical control is particularly difficult because of the secretive habit of the species and because of the appearance of resistance.[1]

Non-chemical[edit | edit source]

Introduction of the pest into glasshouses in Europe has severely interfered with the routine practice of integrated pest control. Control treatments must be supplemented by hygiene measures within glasshouses. Biological agents such as Amblyseius barkeri and Neoseiulus cucumeris have also been used.[1]

Template:Clrr

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination
Bean  
Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination
Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination
Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination
Pea  
Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination

References[edit | edit source]

Template:Reflist