A global invasion by the thrip, Frankliniella occidentalis: Current virus vector status and its management

Abstract

Western flower thrip, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is among the most economically important agricultural pests globally, attacking a wide range of vegetable and horticultural crops. In addition to causing extensive crop damage, the species is notorious for vectoring destructive plant viruses, mainly belonging to the genera Orthotospovirus, Ilarvirus, Alphacarmovirus and Machlomovirus. Once infected by orthotospoviruses, thrips can remain virulent throughout their lifespan and continue transmitting viruses to host plants when and wherever they feed. These irruptive viral outbreaks in crops will permanently disrupt functional integrated pest management systems, and typically require a remedial treatment involving insecticides, contributing to further development of insecticide resistance. To mitigate against this continuing cycle, the most effective management is early and comprehensive surveillance of the pest species and recognition of plant viruses in the field. This review provides information on the pest status of F. occidentalis, discusses the current global status of the viruses vectored by this thrip species, examines the mechanisms involved in transmitting virus-induced diseases by thrips, and reviews different management strategies, highlighting the potential management tactics developed for various cropping systems. The early surveillance and the utilization of potential methods for control of both F. occidentalis and viruses are proposed.

Genome-enabled insights into the biology of thrips as crop pests

“…e Mouthcone paraglossal sensory pegs (numbered, left paraglossa)-pegs 1-5, 7-10, are dual function (mechano-and chemosensory), peg 6 is mechanosensory; their location suggests importance in detecting plant surface microtopography and chemistry during host and feeding-site selection and association with divergent and expanded gene families related to environmental sensing. Modified from [5], permission of Elsevier diverse types of plant pathogens [16][17][18][19], most notoriously orthotospoviruses [20][21][22], to a wide array of food, fiber, and ornamental crops around the globe. With regard to orthotospovirus-thrips interactions, global expression analyses of whole bodies of F. occidentalis [23,24] and other thrips vectors [25,26] indicated the occurrence of insect innate immune responses to virus infection.…”

“…In addition to direct damage to plants, F. occidentalis and other thrips vectors interact with and transmit diverse types of plant pathogens [ 16 – 19 ], most notoriously orthotospoviruses [ 20 – 22 ], to a wide array of food, fiber, and ornamental crops around the globe. With regard to orthotospovirus-thrips interactions, global expression analyses of whole bodies of F. occidentalis [ 23 , 24 ] and other thrips vectors [ 25 , 26 ] indicated the occurrence of insect innate immune responses to virus infection.…”

Can CRISPR gene drive work in pest and beneficial haplodiploid species?

“…In haplodiploids, unfertilized eggs yield haploid males and fertilized eggs yield diploid females. Haplodiploids include some of the world's most devastating pests of crops and forests, such as whiteflies in the Bemisia tabaci species complex, thrips (Thysanoptera), spider mites (Tetranychidae), and tree‐killing bark beetles (Scolytinae) (Biedermann et al., 2019; De Barro, Liu, Boykin, & Dinsdale, 2011; He, Guo, Reitz, Lei, & Wu, 2020; Macfadyen et al., 2018; Normark, 2003; Van Leeuwen, Tirry, Yamamoto, Nauen, & Dermauw, 2015). Also, more than 100,000 species of Hymenoptera are haplodiploid, including bees, ants, sawflies, and wasps that are critically important as pollinators, pests, natural enemies of pests, and invasive species in native habitats (McLaughlin & Dearden, 2019; Normark, 2003).…”

Genome-enabled insights into the biology of thrips as crop pests

“…In addition to direct damage to plants, F. occidentalis and other thrips vectors interact with and transmit diverse types of plant pathogens [11–14], most notoriously orthotospoviruses [15–17], to a wide array of food, fiber and ornamental crops around the globe. With regards to orthotospovirus-thrips interactions, global expression analyses of whole bodies of F. occidentalis [18, 19] and other thrips vectors [20, 21] indicated the occurrence of insect innate immune responses to virus infection.…”