A Review of Franklinothrips vespiformis (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae): Life History, Distribution, and Prospects as a Biological Control Agent

Abstract

Predatory species comprise a small but important and often overlooked component of the Thysanoptera. A case in point, the ant-mimicking Franklinothrips are widely distributed in the tropics and are considered important generalist natural enemies for thrips and some other small arthropod prey. Franklinothrips present an addition to biocontrol applications, i.e., greenhouse or commercial application for certain target pests and situations. Current knowledge, including distribution, biological features, life history pa rameters, prey specificity, host plant associations and lass production is yet insufficient to decide to what extent Franklinothrips could contribute for biological control programs. In this review, we summarized the geographical background, morphology, and prey associations, with a focus on F. vespiformis, the most widely distributed species of predatory thrips. This literature review serves as the basis for future research into the use of Franklinothrips as biocontrol agents for economically significant insect and mite pests in China and elsewhere.

Thysanoptera as predators: their diversity and significance as biological control agents

“…The wider host range may provide benefits over the current range of many commercially produced natural enemies. For example, unlike most predatory mites, which only consume thrips larvae, Franklinothrips can feed on all life stages of thrips 23 . In another study, F. vespiformis was able to regulate leaf‐feeding thrips populations without affecting pollinating thrips 86 .…”

“…For example, unlike most predatory mites, which only consume thrips larvae, Franklinothrips can feed on all life stages of thrips. 23 In another study, F. vespiformis was able to regulate leaffeeding thrips populations without affecting pollinating thrips. 86 Because flower-dwelling thrips are pollinators and the majority of pest thrips dwell on leaves, utilizing F. vespiformis during crop flowering could provide precise and targeted control.…”

“…Now males occasionally are found during mass rearing in the laboratory, 22 and a male was collected with females in Guangdong, China. 23 The prey of F. vespiformis includes a wide range of thrips, as well as some mites, moth eggs, whitefly nymphs and the larvae of an agromyzid fly (Table 1). Endemic to India, Aduncothrips asiaticus shares similar prey range with F. megalops.…”

“…indicated that this thelytoky resulted from infection by Wolbachia . Now males occasionally are found during mass rearing in the laboratory, 22 and a male was collected with females in Guangdong, China 23 . The prey of F. vespiformis includes a wide range of thrips, as well as some mites, moth eggs, whitefly nymphs and the larvae of an agromyzid fly (Table 1).…”

Functional response of Franklinothrips vespiformis (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) to eggs and nymphs of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

“…Franklinothrips vespiformis Crawford (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) is a species of tropical ant-mimicking thrips known to be a generalist and obligate predator of a wide range of small arthropods worldwide ( Loomans and Vierbergen 1999 , Mound and Reynaud 2005 , Hussain et al 2022 ). Though the number of studies that examine the biological control potential of F. vespiformis is limited, it has already been successfully tested, marketed, and bred for sale and use against pest thrips in Europe ( Cox et al 2006 , Larentzaki et al 2007b , Pizzol et al 2008 , 2012 ).…”