Traditional and modern methods for the identification of thrips (Thysanoptera) species

Abstract

Many thrips are pests of commercial crops due to the damage they cause by feeding on developing flowers or vegetables. Thrips may also serve as vectors for plant diseases, such as tospoviruses. Their small size and predisposition towards enclosed places makes them difficult to detect by phytosanitary inspection. In this review, several methods available for identifying thrips, including their advantages and disadvantages, are discussed. A combination of different methods gives the most reliable identification. Relatively new morphometric, molecular and biochemical methods for identifying thrips species represent valuable alternatives for situations in which correct identification with classical morphological methods is very difficult, time consuming or virtually impossible. However, traditional morphological methods should not be neglected, especially because adequate identification using morphological keys is usually an indispensable first step in the development and validation of these new modern methods. In addition, modern systems may still require specimen identification to the genus level via morphological keys, or such keys may be recommended to confirm the results of modern identification methods.

Characterization of Three Species of Thrips on Weeping Fig, Nutmeg, and Marine Seruni Plants Based on Mtcoi DNA Sequences

“…In the identification of thrips, it is also important to understand their biology and to empower integrated pest management strategies. The identification of thrips has been based on external morphology (appearance) (Mehle & Trdan, 2012). Illustrated keys have a major advantage in that they graphically display the characters of interest.…”

“…in species, such as in colour and size (Mehle & Trdan, 2012). When identifying adult thrips species using traditional, printed dichotomous keys, a series of questions must be answered in a fixed order, and this sequential approach can limit identification if an early character is not identifiable (Mehle & Trdan, 2012).…”

“…When identifying adult thrips species using traditional, printed dichotomous keys, a series of questions must be answered in a fixed order, and this sequential approach can limit identification if an early character is not identifiable (Mehle & Trdan, 2012). Some identification keys have limited morphological characters and number of pictures (Brunner et al, 2002;Mound & Morris, 2007).…”

First record of a new alien economically important thrips Dichromothrips corbetti (Priesner, 1936) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Slovakia - short communication

“…Most invertebrate introductions are considered to be accidental (Pimentel et al 2000) with their highest rates occurring in the last 25 years (Hulme et al 2008). Undisputedly it is not surprising that even many Thysanoptera species have been secondarily distributed throughout the world (Mound 1983) in accordance with their relatively small size which enables them to inhabit microhabitats within plants, often making the detection difficult (Mehle & Trdan 2012).…”

Dissecting the Mode of Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus Transmission (Tombusviridae: Machlomovirus) by <I>Frankliniella williamsi</I> (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

“…Thrips are 1 to 4 mm in length, have fringe-like wings (unless wings are lacking), and have asymmetrical mouthparts, with only the left mandible developed. Thrips in the suborder Terebrantia have a conical 10th abdominal segment and a saw-like ovipositor, whereas thrips in the suborder Tubulifera have a tube-like 10th abdominal segment and chute-like ovipositor that lacks teeth (Stannard 1968;Tipping 2008;Mehle & Tredan 2012).…”