Evaluation of an improved method for mass‐rearing of thrips and a thrips parasitoid

Abstract

Improved laboratory methods are described in detail for mass rearing of various thrips species, such as Frankliniella occidentalis, Frankliniella intonsa, Thrips palmi, Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and a thrips parasitoid, Ceranisus menes (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), using various foods. In one method, plant pollen and honey solution are used as food sources. In a second method, germinated broad bean seeds are used. Eggs, produced in large numbers in water, are collected by a suction funnel onto a filter paper and incubated in a Petri dish. Large numbers of larvae that hatch are collected by using food traps (plant pollen). Larvae can be reared on pollen or on germinated broad bean seeds until adult emergence without additional water and food. This method has been found useful for producing even‐aged thrips at different densities (up to 500 larvae in a cage of 80 mm diameter) with relatively low mortality rates. Evaluation of this rearing method for F. intonsa, shows that during 2 weeks at 20 °C per 100 females more than 4000 females could be produced in the next generation. About 5 min per day is required to achieve this productivity of mass production. The method is also suitable for producing large numbers of the solitary endoparasitoid of thrips larvae, C. menes.

Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI gene sequences in Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in relation to reproductive forms and geographic distribution

“…Arrhenotokous strains were established by individual rearing of females of populations in which males appeared. Thrips were reared on germinated broad bean (Vicia faba L.) under laboratory conditions (16L8D, 25°C) according to the method of Murai and Loomans (2001). 310 S. TODA and T. MURAI Overseas samples were also used for phylogenetic analysis.…”

Development, Reproduction and Prey Consumption of the Thrips Predator Gynaeseius liturivorus (Ehara) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

“…The heavily infested cucumber leaves were provided for G. liturivorus on the kidney bean seedlings at 3-4 days intervals. F. occidentalis were reared according to the method of Murai and Loomans (2001) in small plastic cases (9 cm in diameter and 6 cm in depth) with the kidney bean leaves and tea pollen. These two species were maintained at 22.5 under a 16L8D photoperiod.…”

“…The females were allowed to lay eggs for 6-12 hrs depending on the temperature. To determine the effect of temperature on the development of G. liturivorus, only one egg was transferred to the cell with 10-20 eggs of F. occidentalis, gathered by the method of Murai and Loomans (2001). The development of the single egg in each cell was recorded at 12-hr (22.5-27.5 ) and 24-hr (15-20 ) intervals.…”

Benzoylurea resistance in western flower thrips <i>Frankliniella occidentalis</i> (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): the presence of a point mutation in <i>chitin synthase 1</i>

“…Other strains (BO-1, BO-2, TO-1, and YH-1) collected in Oita Prefecture were provided by Dr. S. Okazaki (Oita Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Center). 20) Larvae and adults were fed germinated broad bean seeds (Kokusai Pet Food) in plastic containers in accordance with a previously reported method, 21) at 23±1°C with a long-day photoperiod (16L:8D).…”