PEST 411
Chilli thrips
Biology and management in the nursery by Alejandra Monterrosa and Shimat V. Joseph, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia darker wings. The antennae have eight segments with alternating patterns of dark and pale yellow.
Life cycle
Fig. 1. Adult chilli thrips.
Andrew Derksen, USDA-APHIS
This pest has become increasingly problematic in nurseries because of its wide host range, small size, rapid reproduction and development.
UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020
Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Fig. 1) is one of the recent invasive thrips species in the United States. This thrips first created
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economic problems in Asia, Australia, Africa and Oceania where they attack several crops such as strawberries, cotton, tea, citrus and chilies. They infest more than 150 crops. This pest has become increasingly problematic in nurseries because of its wide host range, small size, rapid reproduction and development. They have unique ability to quickly adapt in a new region. Chilli thrips was first noticed in the United States in Florida in 1991 but did not immediately establish. In 2005, this pest was observed on roses in Florida. This pest is also established in Hawaii and throughout the Caribbean Islands. In Georgia, chilli thrips was first reported in 2007.
Identification and biology Chilli thrips is small in size, about 2 mm in length. It has a pale-yellow body with a pair of
Chilli thrips lay eggs inside of plant tissue 4 that is above the soil. The eggs hatch in about six-to-eight days in 4 summer months. Newly hatched larvae go through two larval 4 stages, which all together lasts about a week. During these two stages they feed on the 4 new growth of the host plant. After completing larval stages they enter 4 into a prepupal stage that lasts for about a day then they go through a pupal stage which lasts about three days.
The pre-pupal and pupal stages are inactive 4 stages thus the thrips do not feed on plants. Chilli thrips pupae are found in the cracks 4 and crevices or leaf litter on the plant. They are rarely found on the potting soil media.
Thereafter, they molt into adults. A female 4 chilli thrips produces about 60 to 200 eggs in her lifetime.
The life cycle can last from 14 to 20 days. 4
Host plants Prior to U.S. introduction, host range of chilli thrips was about 40 plant families. Now, chilli thrips are found on additional plant taxa. The main wild hosts are Acacia, Brownea, Mimosa and Saraca. Chilli thrips are serious pests of different plants in different regions of the world. In Asia, chilli crops on the Indian subcontinent, tea and citrus in Japan, as well as sacred lotus in Thailand. Other major economic hosts include banana, cocoa, corn, cotton, grapes, kiwi, melon, peanut, pepper, strawberry, and roses. Recently added hosts are avocado, cashew nuts, canistel,
