GROWTH, REPRODUCTION AND FIELD POPULATION DYNAMICS OF FRANKLINIELLA BISPINOSA (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE)

Abstract Frankliniella bispinosa was reared at five constant temperatures using pollen of Typha domingensis as food. At 15°C, 37.5 days are required for completing the life cycle and the adult females survived for about 30 days. The immature stage and the female longevity were significantly reduced when temperature increased and they were only 9.2 and 3.9 days, respectively, at 35°C. The maximal number of eggs (123.2/female) were laid at 25°C, as compared with 29.5, 42.1, 11.6 eggs per female, respectively, at 15°C, 20°C and 30°C. F. bispinosa occurs on Bidens pilosa flowers all the year round in south Florida. However, the population is more abundant from mid-March to early April.