Frankliniella occidentalis
Frankliniella occidentalis
| Western Flower Thrips | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Insect |
| Binomial: | Frankliniella occidentalis |
| Order: | Thysanoptera |
| Diseases vectored: | Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus |
The Western Flower Thrips is a major agricultural and garden pest, affecting hundreds of cultivated and weedy species. Aside from damage due to feeding, its ability to act as a vector for viruses makes it particularly problematic.
Description
editVery small, oblong insects.
Symptoms and Signs
editPuncture holes, silvering, yellowing, or browning of plant parts, eventually leaves and flower parts die off and drop.
Ecology
editHost plants
edit- Allium (Onion)
- Arctium (Burdock)
- Asclepias (Butterfly weed)
- Capsicum (Pepper)
- Chrysanthemum
- Citrullus (Watermelon)
- Cousinia (Burdock)
- Cucumis (Cucumber, Melon)
- Datura (Jimsonweed)
- Dendranthema (Hardy Mum)
- Dianthus (Carnation)
- Fragaria (Strawberry)
- Hemerocallis (Daylily)
- Jasminum (Jasmine)
- Lactuca (Lettuce)
- Lycopersicon (Tomato)
- Malus (Apple)
- Malva (Mallow)
- Phaseolus (Bean)
- Polianthes (Tuberose)
- Prunus (Stone Fruits)
- Ranunculus (Buttercup)
- Rosa (Rose)
- Solanum (Nightshade)
- Verbena
Crops attacked by this pest include beans, burdock (gobo), capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, onion, tomatoes and watermelon. Ornamental crops include carnation, chrysanthemum, orchids, pikake, rose and tuberose. Refer to Yudin et al., (1986) for a listing of hosts in the vegetable-growing region of Kula, Maui.
Control
edit- Barriers: Interrows of non-host species, row covers
- Predators and parasites: Bugs including Orius tristicolor (Minute Pirate Bug), Orius persequens, Orius insidiosus, and Paratriphleps laevisculus, predatory thrips including Franklinothrips vespiformi, lacewings including Chrysoperla carnea