Environmental Entomology (1988) 17, 551-559

C.H. Pickett, L.T. Wilson and D. González (1988)
Population dynamics and within-plant distribution of the western flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), an early-season predator of spider mites infesting cotton
Environmental Entomology 17 (3), 551-559
Abstract: The season-long population dynamics and within-plant distribution of the thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) were examined. Thrips density was highly variable and peaked in midseason. Fluctuations in density in combination with changing age structure of the population suggest that migration plays an important role in the population dynamics of thrips. The seasonal peak in thrips density corresponded with the period of peak bloom. Adult thrips were strongly attracted to cotton flowers, which suggests that the migratory nature of thrips is in part caused by their preference for flower structures. Within-plant distribution of thrips on mainstem node leaves is broad and largely overlaps that of spider mites, Tetranychus spp., a prey of thrips in early-season cotton. The combined main-stem and branch node distribution of thrips shows that during most of the season, thrips are centrally located in the plant canopy.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Charles H. Pickett

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis	Cotton (Gossypium)	U.S.A. (SW)