Abstract
Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a pest of global importance in agricultural and horticultural crops. F. occidentalis populations comprise of all different life stages (egg, larvae, prepupae, pupae and adults) under natural conditions. This thrips species typically pupates and spends about one-third of their life cycle in the soil. Their cryptic habit and high reproductive rate make them difficult to control. Compared to attempts to control thrips on the foliage, there is a new idea to control thrips when their pupal stage is still underground, thereby interrupting the thrips life cycle before they have the chance to emerge as adults.
References
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