Author
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Reitz, Stuart |
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Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2008 Publication Date: 9/1/2008 Citation: Reitz, S.R. 2008. Comparative bionomics of Frankliniella occidentalis and Frankliniella tritici. Florida Entomologist. 91:474-476 Interpretive Summary: Two of the most abundant thrips in the southeastern USA are Frankliniella occidentalis and Frankliniella tritici. Frankliniella occidentalis is a key pest because it is a vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus. Although F. tritici is not a vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus, its abundance and morphological similarity to F. occidentalis make it a management concern for growers and crop consultants. Efforts to better understand their population dynamics have been hindered by a lack of basic biological data and because observing individual thrips in the field is almost impossible. Therefore laboratory studies were conducted by scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology to provide critical information to better understand the population dynamics of these species. Both species showed similar patterns in development and reproduction. However, development time for immatures of F. tritici was faster than for F. occidentalis.Although F. occidentalis females survived longer than F. tritici, there was no difference in total progeny production because F. tritici had a higher daily oviposition rate. These factors may contribute the higher populations of F. tritici seen in crops in the southeastern USA. Technical Abstract: The development and reproduction of Frankliniella occidentalis and F. tritici were evaluated. Both species showed similar patterns in development and reproduction. However, median development time for immatures of F. tritici was 1 day faster than for F. occidentalis. F. occidentalis females survived longer than F. tritici, yet there was no difference in total progeny production. |
