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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.
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]
The 'eastern' part of its common name is due to its common occurrence to the east of the Rocky Mountains, whereas the habitat of western flower thrips extends through the entire United States and Canada. [2] It is challenging to distinguish the various species of thrips, without resorting to microscopic examination. [2]
F. orizabensis is known to be unable to survive solely on plant food. It is used as a control agent against thrips on avocado trees. Together with F. vespiformis it has been marketed in Europe as a control agent against thrips in greenhouses. F. vespiformis also feeds on mites, nymphs of a whitefly species and the larvae of an agromyzid fly.
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.
The host range includes the immature stages of western flower thrips, common blossom thrips, onion thrips, melon thrips and chilli thrips, as well as those of silverleaf whitefly and greenhouse whitefly. It can also consume Asian citrus psyllid, broad mites, [3] and other herbivorous mites.
It is largely spread by the insect vector of the western flower thrips. The virus infects more than 648 species of plants including important horticultural and agricultural species such as fuchsia, tomato, orchids, [2] and lettuce (especially romaine). As the name implies, the main symptom on plants is necrotic spots that appear
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