Journal of Pest Science (2012) 85, 179-190

Natasa Mehle and Stanislav Trdan (2012)
Traditional and modern methods for the identification of thrips (Thysanoptera) species
Journal of Pest Science 85 (2), 179-190
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.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Natasa Mehle, Stanislav Trdan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
identification/taxonomy
quarantine treatments/regulations/aspects

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Thripidae
	Frankliniella occidentalis
	Scirtothrips citri
	Thrips palmi
	Scirtothrips dorsalis
	Scirtothrips aurantii