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

Abstract

Some species of thrips have evolved predatory behaviours, with their reported prey range including thrips, mites, scale-insects, whitefly, psyllid nymphs, and eggs of moths and beetles. However, our current understanding of the biology and potential of these thrips as biological control agents is insufficient, limiting our understanding of their role in pest management. This paper assesses published information on the diversity of predatory thrips and the available biological data on their diet breadth. About 100 species within three different families -Aeolothripidae, Phlaeothripidae and Thripidaeseem likely to be predatory, although some conclusions are speculative. Both facultative and obligate predators can be found among the species with prey records. Obligate predators feed primarily on arthropod tissues, whereas facultative predators consume plant tissues in addition to prey. Quantitative information regarding developmental biology, longevity and fecundity, was obtained for only 11 species. Obligate predators, particularly members of Scolothrips and Franklinothrips, are efficient biological control agents. To better augment the use of predatory thrips in pest management, further increased investment in mass rearing, life history and ecological studies, including interactions with other organisms and their habitat, are needed on these natural enemies.

The hidden oases: unveiling trophic dynamics in Namib's fog plant ecosystem

“… 2 Predator 50 Predator − 14.1 ± 0.3‰ 10.9 ± 0.9‰ Haplothrips sp. 6 Herbivorous, pollinizer 51 Possibly predator/secondary consumer − 17.8 ± 1.9‰ 11.4 ± 2.5‰ Sibinia sp. 5 Herbivorous 52 Possibly predator/secondary consumer − 21.0 ± 1.6‰ 13.7 ± 1.4‰ Haltichellinae sp.…”

Interspecific and intraspecific variation in susceptibility of two co‐occurring pest thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips palmi, to nine insecticides

“…Thrips are tiny insects from the order Thysanoptera, which includes polyphagous and predatory species. 1 Several polyphagous pest thrips, particularly from the family Thripidae, are causing increasing damage worldwide to vegetables and ornamentals. 2,3 They can directly feed on crops and some can transmit plant viruses, reducing crop yield and marketing quality.…”

Ant-mimicking thrips of the genus Compsothrips Reuter from China(Phlaeothripidae, Idolothripinae)

“…This species is not only ant-like in general appearance but also in behavior (Mound & Reynaud 2005). Members of this worldwide genus sometimes occur in flowers, but they are more commonly seen on leaves where they can be sufficiently effective as predators of other small insects that they are used commercially in greenhouses for biocontrol purposes (Wang et al 2022). Two other Aeolothripidae genera, Allelothrips in Africa and Stomatothrips in South America, comprise species that live at ground level where their ant-like form and behaviour can be observed.…”