Tomato thrips

Systematic position: Tomato thrips (lat. Frankliniella schultzei) belongs to the order Thysanoptera and the family Thripidae. It is a highly invasive and polyphagous pest that poses a significant economic threat to both greenhouse and field-grown agricultural products worldwide.

Affected crops: This pest is known for its wide host range. It primarily attacks tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplants, while also thriving on numerous ornamental species and various weeds that act as alternative hosts during the off-season.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle consists of the egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult stages. The development speed is highly temperature-dependent, allowing for multiple overlapping generations within a single season. Adults and larvae primarily inhabit the underside of leaves, flower buds, and new growth shoots, making them difficult to detect.

Damage and economic impact: Thrips cause damage by piercing plant cells and sucking out the contents. This results in stippling, silvering, and necrotic spots on foliage. Infested flowers often fail to set fruit, while developing fruits may become scarred and distorted. Furthermore, they are efficient vectors of several plant viruses, including the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV), which can lead to total crop loss.

Protection measures: Integrated pest management (IPM) is essential for control:

• Deploying blue sticky traps for monitoring and early detection.
• Sanitation practices, including the removal of weeds and crop residues.
• Using biological control agents such as predatory mites and pirate bugs in protected structures.
• Applying insecticides with different modes of action to prevent resistance build-up.
• Ensuring quarantine protocols to prevent the introduction of infested plant material.