Journal of Insect Behavior (2011) 24, 436-446

Bishwo Prasad Mainali and Un Taek Lim (2011)
Behavioral response of western flower thrips to visual and olfactory cues
Journal of Insect Behavior 24 (6), 436-446
Abstract: Behavioral responses of Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to visual and olfactory cues were assessed in a cylindrical black box and a Y-tube olfactometer. Frankliniella occidentalis preferred circular shapes to other five geometrical patterns (rectangle, triangle, inverted triangle, diamond, and modified circle imitating flower petals) in multiple choice tests. In pair wise choice tests, the thrips preferred the yellow artificial flower shape to the geometrical patterns tested. Frankliniella occidentalis stayed on the artificial flower about four times longer than on the geometrical patterns. Higher numbers of thrips responded to a combination of p-anisaldehyde and artificial flower compared to the arm with only the olfactory or the visual cue. These results suggest that shape is an important cue for F. occidentalis.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Bishwo Prasad Mainali, Un Taek Lim

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis