Action thresholds are traditionally based on the density of pests and the economic damage they cause to crops. Pest damage assessments are usually made in a "sterile" environment, devoid of extenuating factors such as predators, parasitoids, and alternative food sources. Recently, the effects of a predator or parasitoid species have been considered. However, interactions between natural enemy s...

abstract-the species frankliniella occidentalis (pergande),western flower thrips, is a highly polyphagous pest and an important vector of tospoviruses on several crops and ornamental plants. western flower thrips has been introduced throughout the world and has been subject to many biological studies including mass rearing. in this survey, seven common mass rearing methods of f. occidentalis we...

Laboratory studies were conducted to develop ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatment for controlling western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on broccoli at a low temperature of 1 degree C. Complete control was achieved in 5 d at 0.003% oxygen. Oxygen level affected efficacy of ULO treatment. At a higher oxygen level of 0.03%, 6-d treatment killed -85% of ...

Various traps were evaluated for capture of western flower thrips, Franklinella occidentalis (Pergande). More thrips were attracted to blue sticky cards compared with yellow or white cards. With the addition of blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) thrips numbers on blue cards increased 2.2 fold. The numbers of thrips caught per 10cm on blue sticky cups were 2.4 times more than on blue sticky cards...

Both orchard and adjacent native vegetation harboured adult western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), from early spring until fall. Frankliniella occidentalis made up the great majority of adults collected in flowers of most plant species sampled, including apple. Other species found on apple flowers included Anaphothrips obscurus Müller, which live...

Greenhouse studies were conducted from 1996 to 1998 to determine the efficacy of spinosad, and acephate, against western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande) on transvaal daisy (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex. Hook f). In addition, the number of natural enemies inside and outside the greenhouse was determined. Studies were arranged in a randomized complete-block design with four b...

Thrips populations increase in the spring on early wild host plants and most likely on wheat. These hosts of thrips start to dry beginning in early May until midJune and thrips begin to migrate to more favorable food sources. Unfortunately, this is about the same time that cotton begins to grow. The large host acreage for thrips and their reproductive capability create a situation, in most year...

Feeding by the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), causes damage to the fruits of vegetables, and the species is the key vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus . Frankliniella tritici (Fitch) and Frankliniella bispinosa (Morgan) are not pests of fruiting vegetables. Both species compete with F. occidentalis . Effective management of F. occidentalis in pepper integrates co...