Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)

Taxonomic position

Insecta: Thysanoptera: Terebrantia: Thripidae

Common name

Western flower thrips

Habitat / Crop(s) damaged

It is of American origin and is rated as one of the most destructive pest thrips of the world. It causes direct damage by feeding on a variety of hosts including groundnut, cotton, tobacco, vegetables (cucurbits, cabbage, eggplant, tomato, carrot, peas, beans, capsicum, etc.), fruits (grapes, apple, peach, plum, etc.) and ornamentals (gladiolus, hibiscus, geranium, roses, orchids, etc.). Frankliniella occidentalis causes great havoc by transmitting as many as five tospoviruses, including the tomato spotted wilt virus.

There are some unconfirmed reports of its presence in India (see datasheet from CABI). Recently, Tyagi & Vikas Kumar (2015) have reported it on tomato from Bangalore, Karnataka. The extent of its spread and damage potential in India remains to be monitored.

For details on diagnosis, see Thrips of California and Tyagi & Vikas Kumar (2015).

Images

 Male & female

References

Kaomud Tyagi, Vikas Kumar, 2015. First report of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thripidae: Thysanoptera) from India - a potential havoc to Indian Agriculture. Halteres, 6:1-3.

Photo Credit

R. R. Rachana, Scientist, ICAR-NBAIR.