Analysis of the thrips fauna (Thysanoptera) on flowers of herbs

Studies of Thysanoptera were realized at the Agricultural Experimental Station in Mydlniki near Cracow over the years 2003-2005. This research work covers the observations of the species composition of thrips and the periods of the occurrence of the particulars species of thrips and their numerousness. The thrips were collected from flowers of Valeriana officinalis L., Hypericum perforatum L. and Levisticum officinale Koch. Following thrips species dominated samples collected directly from plants: Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom), Thrips fuscipennis Haliday, Thrips tabaci Lindeman and Thrips major Uzel. The greatest number of thrips was noticed during flowering period on Valeriana officinalis L., and Hypericum perforatum L.     

Chromosomal diversity and phylogenetic inferences concerning thrips (Insecta, Thysanoptera) in a semi-arid region of Brazil

The order Thysanoptera is composed of cosmopolitan phytophagous and predaceous insects with diverse life histories, behaviors and habits. This order is currently thought to form a trichotomy with Hemiptera and Psocodea; Hemiptera and Thysanoptera are considered to be sister groups. The interrelationships within Thysanoptera remain unclear and cytotaxonomic studies are scarce in thrips. We report, for the first time, chromosomal data on seven species of thrips collected from a semi-arid region in the States of Bahia and Pernambuco (Northeast Brazil). A distinctive chromosomal pattern was observed in Thysanoptera when compared to other members within the infraclass Paraneoptera. Considerable karyotypic differences were also found within genera and species of Thysanoptera. Based on these data, we suggest that Paraneoptera forms a polyphyletic group and that Terebrantia and Tubulifera should be regarded as sister groups. The high chromosomal variability observed in Thysanoptera indicates that chromosomal rearrangements have played a key role in their speciation pathways.     

DNA条形码技术在田间常见蓟马种类识别中的应用

蓟马类害虫种类多、 体型小, 传统的形态学鉴定方法难以快速准确识别。本研究利用DNA条形码通用型引物, 以我国田间常见的25种蓟马为靶标扩增其线粒体DNA细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅰ (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ gene, mtDNA COⅠ) 基因 (约650 bp), 通过对靶标片段碱基序列的测序及比对分析, 以邻接法 (NJ法) 构建系统发育树, 并以Kimura双参数模型计算种内、 种间遗传距离。结果表明： 聚类分析与形态学鉴定结果一致, 表现为较长的种间分支和较短的种内分支, 每个单系分支对应一个物种, 同一物种不同单倍型的最初分支自展值均为100%。25种蓟马的种内平均遗传距离为0.0027, 种间平均遗传距离为0.2757, 种间遗传距离为种内遗传距离的102.1倍; 而且种内、 种间遗传距离没有重叠区域。结果说明基于COⅠ基因的DNA条形码技术可以用于不同种类蓟马的快速准确鉴别。     

New records of thrips (Thysanoptera) species in Brazil

This study reports four thrips species from Brazil for the first time: the terebrantians Aptinothrips rufus (Haliday) and Echinothrips caribbeanus Hood; and the tubuliferans Androthrips ramachandrai Karny and Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmermann). New data about biological aspects of some of these new records are presented.     

Aggregation and mating of thrips in flowers of Calystegia sepium

Abstract. 1. Aggregation and mating of Thrips major Uzel and Thrips fuscipennis Haliday (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in the 1-day flowers of Calystegia sepium (L.) R.Br. are described.
2. The number of thrips per flower increased rapidly after flower-opening at dawn and decreased during the evening and following morning.
3. Males patrolled the corolla, attempting to copulate with any females that landed. Their movement was affected by the density of thrips on the corolla. Most females were among the stamens and style, apparently feeding on pollen.
4. These thrips were also abundant in flowers of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. They fed on pollen, and grains adhered to them. They may be significant pollinators because of their high frequency of flights.
5. The aggregations appear to be a simple consequence of general flower-finding responses to colour and scent that are particularly elicited by flowers of C.sepium and F.ulmaria. The ecological significance of male aggregations is discussed.     

Artificial intelligence in pest insect monitoring

Abstract Global problems of hunger and malnutrition induced us to introduce a new tool for semi‐automated pest insect identification and monitoring: an artificial neural network system. Multilayer perceptrons, an artificial intelligence method, seem to be efficient for this purpose. We evaluated 101 European economically important thrips (Thysanoptera) species: extrapolation of the verification test data indicated 95% reliability at least for some taxa analysed. Mainly quantitative morphometric characters, such as head, clavus, wing, ovipositor length and width, formed the input variable computation set in a Trajan neural network simulator. The technique may be combined with digital image analysis.     

我国新入侵外来害虫美洲棘蓟马的外部形态和分子鉴定

美洲棘蓟马Echinothrips americanus Morgan, 1913是新入侵我国的种类。本文报道了该虫各发育阶段的外部形态和分子鉴定结果。首先利用体视显微镜对美洲棘蓟马不同虫态的外部形态进行了观察和拍照;再选择线粒体COⅠ基因中一段约430 bp的序列进行PCR扩增和测序,将所得序列用于蓟马种类的分子鉴定。使用不同的矩阵和系统发育构建方法对待鉴定的蓟马以及另外38种蓟马进行了聚类分析,结果表明：基于线粒体COⅠ基因第1和2编码位点,利用NJ法构建的系统发育树可以较好地区别不同蓟马种类,可作为调查我国蓟马种类和分布的快速方便方法。最后对美洲棘蓟马的基本生物学特性和防控对策进行了综述。     

Monophyletic clades of Macaranga‐pollinating thrips show high specificity to taxonomic sections of host plants

Thrips (Thysanoptera) have been recorded as pollinators of various plant species, but they are mostly regarded to be of low ecological relevance. In Southeast Asia, thrips were recently discovered to pollinate flowers of several taxonomic sections of the pioneer tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae), which is particularly well known as an ant‐plant, and for its importance in early forest succession. The lack of taxonomic treatment and of knowledge about systematic relationships among extant thrips, however, has prevented firm conclusions on the specificity of this plant–pollinator interaction. Here, results from sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit support our previous morphospecies concept of Macaranga flower thrips, and confirm the genetic identity of five recently described species. They were remarkably all assigned to the genus Dolichothrips (Phlaeothripidae), which typically consists of phytophagous species. In addition, the molecular data revealed one cryptic species. A first phylogenetic tree of the Dolichothrips associated with Macaranga provides insights into their systematic position. In particular, we identify monophyly of all important Macaranga pollinator species, all species being largely specific to particular taxonomic host plant sections. Our results suggest a closely matched diversification of pollinating thrips with Macaranga trees. This adds a novel type of association to thrips pollinator–plant interactions, which have been so far documented as single‐species interactions or generalist thrips species visiting multiple plant taxa.     

Transmission of capsicum chlorosis virus by Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Applied Entomology and Zoology - Transmission efficiencies of capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) were investigated for four thrips species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Frankliniella occidentalis...     

Thrips pollination of the dioecious ant plant Macaranga hullettii (Euphorbiaceae) in Southeast Asia

Discussion about thrips (Thysanoptera) as main pollinators has been controversial in the past because thrips do not fit the preconception of an effective pollinator. In this study, we present evidence for thrips pollination in the dioecious pioneer tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae). Macaranga hullettii is pollinated predominantly by one thrips species, Neoheegeria sp. (Phlaeothripidae, Thysanoptera). As a reward for pollinators, the protective floral bracteoles function as breeding sites for thrips and trichomal nectaries on the adaxial surface of the floral bracteoles provide alimentation. Flowering phenology of both staminate and pistillate trees was highly synchronized within 3-4 wk periods. In contrast to pistillate trees, staminate trees start to breed the thrips inside the developing inflorescences ～2 wk before anthesis. Breeding of Neoheegeria sp. in the laboratory indicates that the thrips development is completed within ～17 d. Thus, staminate trees offer breeding sites for one thrips generation until the onset of pollen presentation. Intraspecific pollen transfer by thrips was proved by pollen loads of thrips taken from receptive pistillate inflorescences of M. hullettii. Bagging experiments of different mesh sizes showed that seed set reached almost the level of open-pollinated flowers when exclusively tiny insects like thrips were able to enter the net bags, but no apomictic seed set occurred when no insect access was given to the flowers.     

Population dynamics of banded thrips (Aeolothrips intermedius Bagnall, Thysanoptera, Aeolothripidae) and its potential prey Thysanoptera species on white clover

In 2002, the occurrence of banded thrips (Aeolothrips intermedius Bagnall) and some other Thysanoptera species on white clover (Trifolium repens L.) was monitored at two locations in the continental part of Slovenia. White clover presents in many countries important intercrop in integrated vegetable production. Light blue sticky boards were placed on grasslands (one parcel on each location) with high percentage of white clover. Sticky boards were changed in about 10-days intervals from the end of April till the beginning of October. Number of caught individuals on the boards was counted. They were classified in three different groups: 1. Aeolothrips intermedius, 2. representatives of Haplothrips, Odontothrips and Frankliniella genera, 3. representatives of Thrips genus. We stated that, compared with the other Thysanoptera species in the open, predatory thrips occurs in lower number. Predatory species Aeolothrips intermedius was the most numerous during the flowering of white clover. It was established that other Thysanoptera species (the most of them are facultative phytophagous species) were more numerous also in the periods of less favourable weather conditions and during the non-flowering growing stages of white clover. Based on the results of present research we concluded that A. intermedius has a potential to control onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman), especially in July and August, when in the open both species occur in high numbers.     

Rapid diagnosis of the invasive species,Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande): a species‐specific COI marker

The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an invasive species and currently occurs in only a few areas in China. An easy, accurate and developmental‐stage independent method to identify F. occidentalis would be a valuable tool to facilitate pest management decision making and, more importantly, to provide an early warning so actions can be taken to prevent its introduction into non‐infested areas. Morphological identification of thrips adults and, to a lesser extent, of second‐stage larvae is the main method currently available to identify F. occidentalis. Molecular identification, however, can be easily carried out by a non‐thrips‐specialist with a little training. In this study, DNA sequence data [within the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI)] and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were utilized to develop a molecular diagnostic marker for F. occidentalis. A primer set and PCR cycling parameters were designed for the amplification of a single marker fragment (340 bp) of F. occidentalis COI mtDNA. Specificity tests performed on 28 thrips species, efficacy tests performed on five immature developmental stages as well as on male and female adults and tests on primer sensitivity all demonstrated the diagnostic utility of this marker. Furthermore, the primer set was tested on seventeen F. occidentalis populations from different countries and invaded areas in China and proved to be applicable for all geographic populations. It was used successfully to clarify the distribution of F. occidentalis in the Beijing metro area. These results suggested that this diagnostic PCR assay provides a quick, simple and reliable molecular technique for the identification of F. occidentalis.     

传毒蓟马种类研究进展(缨翅目,蓟马科)

蓟马所传播的植物病毒病已经对大范围的农作物和园艺作物带来了重要威胁。目前已报道有15种蓟马能传播植物病毒,仅占已记录蓟马总数的0.2%,均属于蓟马科、蓟马亚科,且10种传毒蓟马已在我国不同省份有分布。本文概述了传毒蓟马的种类、寄主植物和分布等相关信息,并对不同传毒蓟马所传播病毒的种类和传毒方式进行了介绍。     

Pollen-feeding and the host specificity and fecundity of flower thrips (Thysanoptera)

Abstract. 1. Flower thrips could feed on pollen of a wide range of sizes and were unaffected by exine spines. One species of thrips was unable to feed on very adhesive grains.
2. The proportion of time spent feeding on each species of pollen (in seconds per minute of exposure) reflected the known host specificities. Host-specific thrips could distinguish their host pollen, apparently without probing.
3. Kakothrips pisivorus (Westwood) appeared to have a higher rate of ingestion of a host pollen than of four non-host pollens.
4. In cages in the laboratory, Thrips fuscipennis Haliday laid significantly more eggs over 48h when given pollen than when given other floral tissues or no food. K. pisivonis and Ceratothrips ericae (Haliday) also laid significantly more eggs over 48h in the presence of pollen than in its absence.
5. In comparisons between pollen diets, T. fuscipennis, a generalist, laid similar numbers of eggs with each species of pollen, but K. pisivorus and C. ericae laid significantly more eggs with their respective host pollens. The differences in oviposition rate between pollen diets reflected the differences in the proportion of time spent feeding.     

Phylogeny of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) based on five molecular loci

The order Thysanoptera (Paraneoptera), commonly known as thrips, displays a wide range of behaviours, and includes several pest species. The classification and suggested relationships among these insects remain morphologically based, and have never been evaluated formally with a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis. We tested the monophyly of the suborders, included families and the recognized subfamilies, and investigated their relationships. Phylogenies were reconstructed based upon 5299 bp from five genetic loci: 18S ribosomal DNA, 28S ribosomal DNA, Histone 3, Tubulin‐alpha I and cytochrome oxidase c subunit I. Ninety‐nine thrips species from seven of the nine families, all six subfamilies and 70 genera were sequenced. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses all strongly support a monophyletic Tubulifera and Terebrantia. The families Phlaeothripidae, Aeolothripidae, Melanthripidae and Thripidae are recovered as monophyletic. The relationship of Aeolothripidae and Merothripidae to the rest of Terebrantia is equivocal. Molecular data support previous suggestions that Aeolothripidae or Merothripidae could be a sister to the rest of Terebrantia. Four of the six subfamilies are recovered as monophyletic. The two largest subfamilies, Phlaeothripinae and Thripinae, are paraphyletic and require further study to understand their internal relationships.     

Zemiathrips: a new genus of fungus-feeding phlaeothripine Thysanoptera in Australian leaf-litter

Abstract A new genus of Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae, Zemiathrips , is described for five new species. These thrips are locally abundant in leaf-litter in Australia, particularly in Eucalyptus litter, and each is presumed to feed on fungal hyphae. Almost all individuals are wingless but, in contrast to many fungus-feeding Phlaeothripidae, none of the species show any within-sex polymorphism. Representatives of the genus have been found in all Australian states and territories except the Northern Territory and, despite winged individuals being rare, several of the species are widespread.     

Sampling techniques for thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in preflowering tomato

Sampling techniques for thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) were compared in preflowering tomato plants at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, GA, in 2000 and 2003, to determine the most effective method of determining abundance of thrips on tomato foliage early in the growing season. Three relative sampling techniques, including a standard insect aspirator, a 946-ml beat cup, and an insect vacuum device, were compared for accuracy to an absolute method and to themselves for precision and efficiency of sampling thrips. Thrips counts of all relative sampling methods were highly correlated (R > 0.92) to the absolute method. The aspirator method was the most accurate compared with the absolute sample according to regression analysis in 2000. In 2003, all sampling methods were considered accurate according to Dunnett's test, but thrips numbers were lower and sample variation was greater than in 2000. In 2000, the beat cup method had the lowest relative variation (RV) or best precision, at 1 and 8 d after transplant (DAT). Only the beat cup method had RV values <25 for all sampling dates. In 2003, the beat cup method had the lowest RV value at 15 and 21 DAT. The beat cup method also was the most efficient method for all sample dates in both years. Frankliniella fusca (Pergande) was the most abundant thrips species on the foliage of preflowering tomato in both years of study at this location. Overall, the best thrips sampling technique tested was the beat cup method in terms of precision and sampling efficiency.     

一种用于显微观察的蓟马标本的制片新方法

蓟马（昆虫纲：缨翅目）是昆虫纲中有重要经济意义的目之一,由于个体微小,因此需要制作成高质量的玻片在高倍显微镜下观察和研究。如果玻片标本质量欠佳,常常导致无法鉴定其种类。不同的研究中处理蓟马标本的技术和方法各异。本文介绍一种新的制片方法,这一方法需要更少的化学药品,且适合处理深颜色的标本。而且,用这个方法处理的标本清晰,保持其自然体色,这些特征在鉴定种类时是十分必要的。本方法处理标本包括4个步骤：氢氧化钾透明（一般5％一10％KOH溶液中,常温放置1～2d或者100℃水浴加热1～2h,处置时间随材料大小和颜色的深浅有所变化）、纯酒精脱水（材料透明后转移到纯酒精中浸泡4—5min）、Hoyer＇s介质装片（滴一滴Hoyer＇s介质于载玻片中央,而后将脱水后的材料转移至介质中,用细拨针小心整翅、足以及触角的姿态,盖上盖玻片）和干燥贴标签（装片后放置在35～45℃烘箱中2～3d或者室温下放置1星期,然后将采集信息、寄主信息以及鉴定表格制成标签,贴于玻片两侧）,与其它制片方法相比,此法最简洁。文末对不同的制片方法作了比较和讨论。     

Coupling scanning electron microscopy with DNA bar coding: a novel approach for thrips identification

The small size and cryptic nature of thrips pests often make their monitoring and the identification process difficult. With the aim to obtain accurate identification of various pest species in the order Thysanoptera, a pilot study was conducted on an invasive thrips species Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood in Florida. The specific objective of this pilot study was to assess if the thrips specimens processed to be observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be further utilized for DNA based assays. Larvae and adults of S. dorsalis were subjected to traditional morphological identification using high resolution SEM prior to their DNA extraction. Sequence results of both mtCO1 and ITS rDNA of individual larva and adult S. dorsalis were found to be in agreement with the taxonomic identification conducted using SEM and each result confirmed the other technique. Our results suggest that steps involved during specimen preparation and observation under SEM does not impact DNA analysis of the sample. The two techniques together could be used for the correct identification of various thrips species using the same specimen. The proof of concept was further tested on three other important thrips species Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), F. schultzei (Trybom) and Thrips palmi Karny, which confirmed the robustness of the technique. The technique has broader significance for different areas under entomological sciences especially medical, forensic and taxonomic studies where the samples put under a high beam of ions for investigation are often required for DNA analysis.     

Intraspecific larval competition in two solitary parasitoids, Apoanagyrus (Epidinocarsis) lopezi and Leptomastix dactylopii

Analysis of total aromatic amino acid (free and bound) in some cucumber accessions selected previously for resistance to western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) [Thysanoptera: Thripidae], indicated that low concentrations of these essential nutrients, relative to total leaf protein, were correlated with a reduction in damage by the insect. Further analysis of samples of four important horticultural crops (lettuce, tomato, pepper and cucumber) with unknown levels of resistance to thrips showed a significant genotypic variation in the concentrations of total aromatic amino acids relative to the total leaf protein. Accessions from each crop with low or high concentrations of aromatic amino acids in proteins were exposed to thrips larvae. Regression analysis showed a highly significant positive correlation between aromatic amino acid concentration in leaf protein and thrips damage, regardless of crop species. It is concluded that higher concentrations of aromatic amino acids in plant proteins are important for successful thrips development. These results provide plant breeders with a promising tool for indirect selection without using undesirable insect bioassays.