The occurrence and species composition of thrips (Thysanoptera) on onion

The aim of the present research work was to investigate the population density and species composition of thrips infesting crops of onion in South Poland. The flight activity of thrips was monitored using blue sticky traps and plant samples were taken to record the number of adult and Larvae of thrips on onion. In 2004 the thrips were caught into blue sticky traps from the start of June to the end of the first decade of September. The peak flight activity was noticed in the middle of July. In 2004 the significant growth of the numerousness of adult thrips on onion grown from seeds was recorded in the middle and in the third decade of August, whereas on onion grown from sets in the first decade of August. Thrips larvae were not observed during the whole vegetation season. In 2005, the thrips were caught into blue sticky traps form the half of June to the first decade of September. The peak flight activity was noticed in the first decade of August. In 2005 the rapid growth of the numerousness of adult thrips on onion grown from seeds was recorded in the third decade of July. The highest number of adult thrips on onion grown from sets was noticed at the beginning of August. Thrips larvae were observed on onion grown from seeds in the third decade of July and at the end of the second decade of August. In both years of observations the most numerous species was Frankliniella intonsa Tryb. The second most numerous species was Thrips tabaci Lindeman. In 2004, the most numerous species was predacious Aeolothrips intermedius Bagnall.     

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.     

Notes on Thysanoptera found on flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) in the British Isles

The following eighteen species of Thysanoptera Terebrantia have been found on flax in the British Isles: Melanthrips fuscus (Sulzer), Aeolothrips fasciatus (L.), Anaphothrips obscurus (Müler), Aptinothrips rufus (Gmelin), Chirothrips manicatus Hal., Limothrips cerealium Hal., L. denticornis Hal., Stenothrips graminum Uzel, Taeniothrips atratus (Hal.), T. vulgatissimus (Hal.), Thrips angusticeps Uzel, T. discolor Hal., T. flavus Schrank, T. fuscipennis Hal., T. major Uzel, T. minutissimus L., T. physapus L., T. tabaci Lindeman. Each species is described briefly with notes on habits of adults and larvae, place of pupation, number of generations in the year, hibernation, time of occurrence on plants, plants and objects on which found, host plants of larvae and adults, importance to flax, record of locality and collector on flax, distribution, including altitudes, in the British Isles. More species occur in the south than in the north of Great Britain, and species common to both regions usually occur in greater numbers in the south. The insects breed on certain species of crop plants, weeds or trees of arable land. No damage of economic importance to flax by Thysanoptera has been proven in the British Isles, and the flax thrips, Thrips lini Ladureau, has not been found. Taeniothrips vulgatissimus (Hal.) may breed on flax and its adults, and those of T. atratus (Hal.) may cause superficial damage to petals of flowers. Thrips angusticeps Uzel and T. tabaci Lindeman will probably breed on flax.     

Thrips (Thysanoptera) identification using artificial neural networks

We studied the use of a supervised artificial neural network (ANN) model for semi-automated identification of 18 common European species of Thysanoptera from four genera: Aeolothrips Haliday (Aeolothripidae), Chirothrips Haliday, Dendrothrips Uzel, and Limothrips Haliday (all Thripidae). As input data, we entered 17 continuous morphometric and two qualitative two-state characters measured or determined on different parts of the thrips body (head, pronotum, forewing and ovipositor) and the sex. Our experimental data set included 498 thrips specimens. A relatively simple ANN architecture (multilayer perceptrons with a single hidden layer) enabled a 97% correct simultaneous identification of both males and females of all the 18 species in an independent test. This high reliability of classification is promising for a wider application of ANN in the practice of Thysanoptera identification.     

外来入侵害虫——西花蓟马在山东省不同地区主要花卉上的分布

【背景】外来入侵害虫西花蓟马于2003年首次在北京郊区被发现,并逐渐扩散蔓延,目前已在我国局部地区暴发成灾。【方法】于2008～2009年通过定点调查的方法对山东省115个地区258个样点的主要花卉上的蓟马种类进行了分析。【结果】山东省主要花卉上发生的蓟马有11种,包括花蓟马、黄胸蓟马、黄蓟马、西花蓟马、棕榈蓟马、烟蓟马、禾花蓟马、横纹蓟马、腹小头蓟马、黑白纹蓟马、油加律带蓟马等,其优势种为花蓟马。外来入侵害虫西花蓟马在山东省18个地区的花卉上被发现。其中,荣成市区发生最重,占蓟马采集总量的51.86%;德州市区和青岛市区发生次之,分别占蓟马采集总量的34.21%和33.88%;其他地区西花蓟马发生量占采集总量的1.39%～18.75%。【结论与意义】西花蓟马已在山东省定殖并广泛分布,相关部门应做好西花蓟马的预防与控制工作。     

Seasonal abundance and spatial distribution of larval and adult thrips (Thysanoptera) on weed host plants in mango orchards in Penang,Malaysia

The spatial distribution of larval and adult thrips (Thysanoptera) was studied on mango panicles, Mangifera indica L., on Penang Island, Malaysia, during two consecutive mango flowering seasons from December 2008 to March 2009 and from August to September 2009. Larval and adult thrips were sampled from mango panicles using the carbon dioxide (CO₂) collection technique weekly in treated and untreated orchards. Seasonal abundance and dispersion pattern of thrips were investigated on weed host plants in the treated orchard between June 2008 and March 2009. Spatiotemporal dynamics of larvae and adults was analyzed using Taylor’s Power Law (TPL), Lloyd’s Index (LI), and Green’s Index (GI). Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) was the dominant thrips species recovered from mango panicles and weeds in the treated orchard, whereas Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) was the most abundant species captured in the untreated orchard. Thrips adults and larvae analyzed via dispersion indices were found to be aggregated in mango panicles in both orchards. The value of the aggregation index (b) of TPL for the total number of adult thrips was significantly higher in the treated orchard than in the untreated orchard, whereas slopes of TPL for the total number of larval thrips did not differ significantly between treated and untreated orchards. All adult thrips species were distributed regularly on the weed plants; however, their larvae were aggregated. It is concluded that pesticide treatment caused adult thrips to become more aggregated on mango panicles, hiding in flower parts that were less exposed to the chemicals.     

Intra- and interspecific molecular polymorphism of thrips species

Molecular polymorphism of six species of Thysanoptera of both sexes, collected from different locations and host plants in Hungary was studied by using RAPD-PCR technique. The specimens were classified according to sampling sites (G?d?ll?, Nagykovácsi and Valkó), host plants (Lathyrus tuberosus, Medicago sativa, Taraxacum officinale, Trifolium pratense), sexes, and larvae in case of Aeolothrips intermedius. On the basis of the total of 103 fragments generated by 15 RAPD primers the genetic distances were calculated by cluster analysis using simple matching method. The dendrogram resulted in two main groups: Aeolothripidae (Aeolothrips intermedius) and Thripidae (Frankliniella intonsa, Kakothrips robustus, Odontothrips confusus, Thrips dilatatus and T. tabaci). Within the family Thripidae two subgroups were observed including (i) F. intonsa, T. dilatatus and T. tabaci, and (ii) K. robustus and O. confusus. Two population-specific and one sex-linked fragments were identified by the RAPD primers, OPQ 14, NO11 and OPA08, respectively.     

Impact of straw mulch on populations of onion thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in onion

Development of insecticide resistance in onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), populations in onion (Allium spp.) fields and the incidence of the T. tabaci transmitted Iris yellow spot virus have stimulated interest in evaluating alternative management tactics. Effects of straw mulch applied in commercial onion fields in muck areas of western New York were assessed in 2006 and 2007 as a possible onion thrips management strategy. In trials in which no insecticides were applied for thrips control, straw mulch-treated plots supported significantly lower T. tabaci populations compared with control plots. In both years, the action thresholds of one or three larvae per leaf were reached in straw mulch treatments between 7 and 14 d later than in the control. Ground predatory fauna, as evaluated by pitfall trapping, was not increased by straw mulch in 2006; however, populations of the common predatory thrips Aeolothrips fasciatus (L.) (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) were significantly lower in straw mulch plots in both years. Interference of straw mulch in the pupation and emergence of T. tabaci was investigated in the lab and their emergence was reduced by 54% compared with bare soil. In the field the overall yield of onions was not affected by the straw mulch treatment; however, the presence of jumbo grade onions (>77 mm) was increased in 2006, but not in 2007. These results indicate that populations of T. tabaci adults and larvae can be significantly reduced by the use of straw mulch without compromising overall onion yield. The use of this cultural practice in an onion integrated pest management program seems promising.     

Egg-hatching in thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera)

The hatching of eggs of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) was investigated for three thripids, Thrips tabuci Lindeman, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) and Kakothrips pisivorus (Westwood), and for a phlaeothripid, Haplothrips leucanthemi (Schrank). An embryonic cuticle with hatching spines was found in these thripids, and distinct lids were discovered on eggs of the first two species of thripid. At least one species of phlaeothripid lacks hatching spines. Haplothrips leucanthemi eggs did not have a distinct lid; the eggs split along lines of weakness following the pattern left by the follicle cells.
Kakothrips pisivorus was observed and photographed during hatching. The larva emerged most of the way out of the egg while still enclosed in embryonic cuticle. Expansion and contraction of the pronotum split the embryonic cuticle, which was then forced down to the tip of the abdomen by peristaltic movements, freeing in turn the antennae and legs. The embryonic cuticle was left poking out of the oviposition hole.     

DNA Barcode Analysis of Thrips (Thysanoptera) Diversity in Pakistan Reveals Cryptic Species Complexes

Although thrips are globally important crop pests and vectors of viral disease, species identifications are difficult because of their small size and inconspicuous morphological differences. Sequence variation in the mitochondrial COI-5ʹ (DNA barcode) region has proven effective for the identification of species in many groups of insect pests. We analyzed barcode sequence variation among 471 thrips from various plant hosts in north-central Pakistan. The Barcode Index Number (BIN) system assigned these sequences to 55 BINs, while the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery detected 56 partitions, a count that coincided with the number of monophyletic lineages recognized by Neighbor-Joining analysis and Bayesian inference. Congeneric species showed an average of 19% sequence divergence (range = 5.6% - 27%) at COI, while intraspecific distances averaged 0.6% (range = 0.0% - 7.6%). BIN analysis suggested that all intraspecific divergence >3.0% actually involved a species complex. In fact, sequences for three major pest species (Haplothrips reuteri, Thrips palmi, Thrips tabaci), and one predatory thrips (Aeolothrips intermedius) showed deep intraspecific divergences, providing evidence that each is a cryptic species complex. The study compiles the first barcode reference library for the thrips of Pakistan, and examines global haplotype diversity in four important pest thrips.     

外来人侵害虫——西花蓟马在山东省不同地区主要花卉上的分布

【背景】外来入侵害虫西花蓟马于2003年首次在北京郊区被发现,并逐渐扩散蔓延,目前已在我国局部地区暴发成灾。【方法】于2008～2009年通过定点调查的方法对山东省115个地区258个样点的主要花卉上的蓟马种类进行了分析。【结果】山东省主要花卉上发生的蓟马有11种,包括花蓟马、黄胸蓟马、黄蓟马、西花蓟马、棕榈蓟马、烟蓟马、禾花蓟马、横纹蓟马、腹小头蓟马、黑白纹蓟马、油加律带蓟马等,其优势种为花蓟马。外来入侵害虫西花蓟马在山东省18个地区的花卉上被发现。其中,荣成市区发生最重,占蓟马采集总量的51．86％;德州市区和青岛市区发生次之,分别占蓟马采集总量的34．21％和33．88％;其他地区西花蓟马发生量占采集总量的1．39％～18．75％。【结论与意义】西花蓟马已在山东省定殖并广泛分布,相关部门应做好西花蓟马的预防与控制工作。     

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.     

The effect of undersowing cabbage with white clover on thrips infestation and flight activity

In 2001-2003, the levels of infestation of thrips in cabbage monocrops and cabbage/white clover intercrops were compared. The flight activity of thrips was monitored using blue sticky traps and white water traps to obtain a better understanding of population dynamics of thrips. Plant samples were taken to record the number of thrips on cabbage. Over the years of observations, the highest number of thrips was collected in blue sticky traps on cabbage undersown with white clover. In the period from 15th June to 5th July 2001, the number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps in the monocropped cultivation and intercrops with white clover was on similar low levels. Next, the number suddenly increased to 372 thrips/trap in monocropped cultivation and 509 thrips/trap in the intercropped cultivation. During the period of the highest peak of thrips activity, which was on 17th July, there were 650 thrips/trap and nearly the same number was noticed for both types of cultivations. After this period, until the end of vegetation, the greater number of thrips was noticed for the traps placed in the intercrops. Additionally, in 2001 the thrips were collected in white water traps. Using this type of traps, 480 total thrips/trap were collected in the monocropped cultivation and 819/thrips/trap in the intercrops during the whole vegetation season. The percentage participation of Thrips tabaci Lind. caught in white water traps was 24.4% in the monocropped cultivation and 15.4% in the intercrops. In 2002, during the period from the middle of June to the third decade of July, significantly higher number of thrips was collected in blue sticky traps placed in the cabbage with white clover. The number of thrips collected during the period of the mass flights, which means in the first decade of July was over twice as many thrips in the traps placed in the intercropped cultivation (1316 thrips/trap) as in the monocropped cultivation (589 thrips/trap). In 2003, during the whole vegetation period, the number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps placed on the plots where cabbage was cultivated with white clover was evidently higher. In this year two peaks of the thrips flight activity were recorded: the first on 16th July and the second on 5th August. On both occassions, the number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps placed in the intercropped cultivations was about twice as high as in the monoculture cultivation. In 2001-2003, the thrips feeding on cabbage in the monocropped and intercropped cultivations were observed mainly in July and once again in August. The number of thrips on cabbage was low, only in 2002 this number was higher. In 2001, the number of thrips on cabbage in both types of cultivations was on similar level. The highest number of thrips was observed during the peak of thrips flight activity, which was in the middle of July. In years 2002-2003, despite the higher number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps placed in the intercropped cultivations, the number of pests collected from the cabbage undersown with white clover was lower than in the monocropped cultivation. In 2002, the period of the most intensive occurrence of thrips on cabbage was overlapping with the period of mass flight activity of thrips. During this period, a little higher number of thrips was noticed on cabbage in the intercropped cultivation (3.4 thrips/plant) than in the monocropped cultivation (3.2 thrips/plant). In 2003, the highest number of thrips on cabbage in both types of cultivations was noticed before the first significant peak of thrips flight activity. Whereas in the first decade of August, when the same high number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps was again noticed, no increase in the number of thrips feeding on cabbage was observed in both type of cultivations. Over all years of observations, despite the higher number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps in the intercropped cultivation, this number was always lower on the cabbage undersown with white clover. The most dominant species in both cultivations was Thrips tabaci Lind. Its percentage participation in the collected material was 83.1% in the monocropped cultivation and 76.6% in the intercropped cultivation.     

Thysanoptera (Insecta)-Vicia faba (Fabaceae) association in Prepuna and Puna in Jujuy, Argentina

The different phenological stages of Vicia faba provide food resources and substrates for the development of a significant diversity of insects. This study aimed to identify the complex of anthophyllous thrips, analyze the species population fluctuations, to obtain some bioecological aspects and the role they play in this association. The study and sampling was conducted during the flowering-fruiting bean crop stages in two phytogeographical regions of Jujuy: Prepuna (2 479m asl) on a weekly basis, from October-December 1995-1996 and Puna (3 367m asl) every two weeks, from December 2007-March 2008. Each sample consisted of 25 flowers taken at random; only at Prepuna a complementary sampling of three hits per plant (n=10 plants) was conducted. Observations were made on oviposition sites, admission to the flower, pupation sites, feeding behavior and injuries caused. In Prepuna, the Thysanoptera complex consisted of Frankliniella australis, F. occidentalis, F. gemina, F. schultzei and Thrips tabaci; in Puna, the specific diversity was restricted to F. australis and F. gemina. Although the planting-harvest period in both areas did not match, the fluctuations in populations showed the same pattern: as flowering progressed, the number of thrips coincided with the availability of food resources. In both areas, F. australis was the dominant species and maintained successive populations; it layed eggs in flower buds, and larvae hatched when flowers opened; feeding larvae and adults brought about silvery stains with black spots. In Prepuna, F. australis went through the mobile immature stages on flowers, while quiescent stages were on the ground; in the Puna, all development stages took place within the flowers. Thrips tabaci, F. shultzei, F. occidentalis and F. gemina were temporary and opportunistic in Prepuna, while the presence of F. gemina was sporadic in Puna. The number of Thysanoptera species associated with beans cultivation in Argentina has increased.     

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。     

Within-plant distribution of onion thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in onions

Two aspects of the within-plant distribution of Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on onion, Allium cepa L., plants were investigated: 1) diurnal variations in the distribution of adults and larvae between basal and upper sections of onion leaves, and 2) between-leaf and within-leaf distribution of the eggs. The diurnal investigations showed that higher proportions of larvae than of adults congregated at the basal sections of plants, particularly when plants were young and thrips density was low. As plants matured and thrips density increased, the larvae became more dispersed. Regardless of plant size, there were always more adults in the upper than basal plant sections. There were no clear time-windows during the 24-h diurnal cycle when more thrips were in the upper plant parts. T. tabaci eggs were laid everywhere in the plant. Leaves of intermediate ages had more eggs than older or younger leaves. Within leaves, the white leaf sheath received the least eggs and leaf tips received slightly more eggs than leaf sheaths. The highest egg density was found between the green leaf base and the leaf tips. Regardless of plant size, more than half of all eggs were laid above the basal sections. The percentage increased to >95% in mature plants. Except when plants were small the outer leaves were preferred over inner leaves and upper leaf sections preferred over lower leaf sections as egg-laying sites by adults. Implications of the results in the management of T. tabaci are discussed.     

Grass thrips (Anaphothrips obscurus) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) population dynamics and sampling method comparison in timothy

Sampling studies were conducted on grass thrips, Anaphothrips obscurus (Müller) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in timothy, Phleum pratense L. These studies were used to compare the occurrence of brachypterous and macropterous thrips across sampling methods, seasons, and time of day. Information about the population dynamics of this thrips was also revealed. Three absolute and two relative methods were tested at three different dates within a season and three different daily times during four harvest periods. Thrips were counted and different phenotypes were recorded from one of the absolute methods. Absolute methods were the most similar to one another over time of day and within seasonal dates. Relative methods varied in assessing thrips population dynamics over time of day and within seasonal dates. Based on thrips collected from the plant and sticky card counts, macropterous individuals increased in the spring and summer. Thrips aerially dispersed in the summer. An absolute method, the beat cup method (rapping timothy inside a plastic cup), was among the least variable sampling methods and was faster than direct observations. These findings parallel other studies, documenting the commonality of diel and diurnal effects on sampled arthropod abundance and the seasonal effects on population abundance and structure. These studies also demonstrate that estimated population abundance can be markedly affected by temporal patterns as well as shifting adult phenotypes.     

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.     

Cover crop, rye residue and in-furrow treatment effects on thrips

Abstract:  Thrips and thrips damage to cotton and peanut plants were compared in plots with in-furrow treatments of aldicarb, phorate and diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer under two tillage regimes with a winter cover of crimson clover and under different levels of rye residue ground cover. Adult and larval thrips numbers were significantly lower in cotton plots following winter crimson clover cultivation compared with no-cover plots in all 3 years. Thrips numbers did not differ with respect to the in-furrow treatments in the clover plots, but in the no-cover plots, they were significantly higher in the untreated control and DAP treatments compared with the aldicarb treatment. Thrips damage was higher in the no-cover than the clover plots except in the aldicarb treatments. Within the cover crop plots, thrips damage was highest in the control and phorate treatments and similar in the DAP and aldicarb treatments. There was an inverse relationship between the amount of rye residue ground cover and thrips density and thrips damage in cotton and peanuts. There was also an inverse relationship between the density of rye residue and damage to peanuts from Bunyaviridae tospovirus. Cotton yield was reduced in the cover crop plots and was not measured in the rye residue and peanut plots. These results suggest that ground cover alone decreases thrips numbers and thrips damage in both cotton and peanuts and that a winter crimson clover cover and an in-furrow treatment of DAP enhanced plant protection from thrips in cotton.     

Effects of undersown clover on host-plant selection by Thrips tabaci adults in leek

The suppressive effects of undersown clover on Thrips tabaci Lindeman infestation in leek is known but not the stages in thrips population dynamics that are affected by intercropping and the mechanisms involved. Colonization or settling of adult onion thrips (T. tabaci) in monocropped leek (Allium porrum L.) and in leek intercropped with strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum L.) was studied in two potted plant experiments. Potted leek plants with and without undersown clover were placed for a short period (2 and 5 days) in monocropped or intercropped field plots when high thrips infestation was expected. Thrips adults were counted on all leaves and in the shaft during this observation period. Thrips populations were monitored weekly in the field plots throughout the entire growing season.In both potted plant experiments, there were consistently fewer thrips adults on intercropped leek plants than on monocropped plants. The plant growth parameters – number of leaves and stem diameter – were similar in all treatments and thus did not explain differences in thrips adults. Natural enemies were absent on both leek and clover, and thus cannot explain the differences in adult thrips numbers. Furthermore, no adults of T. tabaci were found on the clover in the potted plant experiment and only very few in the field experiment. Thus it was concluded that strawberry clover was not an effective trap crop for thrips.In the second potted plant experiment, clover was removed just before the leek plants were introduced to the field, thus eliminating direct physical, visual and olfactory interference by clover. After the undersown clover was removed, the leek plants harboured only one-third of the number of thrips adults, as compared to the monocropped plants. This study supports the notion that there are subtle links between intercropping and plant quality, and indicates that host-plant quality is an underlying cause of the reduction in adult thrips numbers in leek/clover intercropping.