Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)] is an invasive pest insect in agriculture. This species of thrips is native to the Southwestern United States [1] but has spread to other continents, including Europe, Australia (where it was identified in May 1993 [1]), and South America via transport of infested plant material.
However, some thrips, including rose thrips, onion thrips, and western flower thrips, damage plants. They can weaken vegetables and flowers and even spread plant diseases . What Do Thrips Look Like?
The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, has spread until it now has a worldwide distribution, and is the primary vector of plant diseases caused by tospoviruses. [86] Other viruses that they spread include the genera Ilarvirus, (Alpha |Beta |Gamma)carmovirus, Sobemovirus and Machlomovirus. [87]
They are sites where a female has oviposited into developing flower buds or fruitlets. Despite the cosmetic damage suffered by these light skinned apple cultivars they are seemingly unaffected by most thrip vectored viruses. Infested apples of the mountain west simply provide a natural setting for Western Flower Thrips to thrive and reproduce.
In order to protect their eggs, thrips insert their eggs into various types of plant tissue. Eggs can be found in the stems, leaves, or flowers of plants. [8] Thrips hatch in 2–3 days and complete their life cycle in 20–30 days. [2] Adult thrips feed on the flower bud, stem and leaf parts of the plant. [8]
Flower thrips can be agricultural pests in either two species of thrips in the genus Frankliniella: F. tritici , Eastern flower thrips F. occidentalis , Western flower thrips
The chili thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis, is an Asian pest on many crops, including chili peppers, roses, strawberry, tea, ground nuts, and castor bean. The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis , has recently expanded its range from western North America to large portions of Europe and Asia through the trade of greenhouse plants.
This species is an aggressive predator and will feed on the immature stages of western flower thrips, common blossom thrips, onion thrips, melon thrips and chilli thrips, as well as the silverleaf whitefly and Asian citrus psyllid, and several plant-damaging mites. It is most successful with prey feeding on foliage, and less so with those in ...