Thrips parvispinus (Karny): Pest of concern to Indian farmers in Chilli – A Review

Author: Manisha Yadav, Balbir Singh, Geeta Devi, Pooja Kumari, Neeraj Kumar and Priyal Choudhary

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Abstract

Thrips are the most prevalent species of sucking pests that attack a range of horticulture crops and spread dangerous plant viruses. As a result of changing crop production patterns, increased pesticide use, and climate change, there are reports of a thrips outbreak in a number of locations. The global range of Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) has dramatically expanded over the past two decades. In addition to India, it is now known to occur in France, Greece, Hawaii, Mauritius, Reunion, Spain, Tanzania, and the Netherlands. Initial record of T. parvispinus was reported on papaya in Bengaluru in 2015. After that many southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana) have been reported an infestation of T. parvispinus particularly on chilli crops, inflicting 50–80% damage. Being a polyphagous species, infestations of beans, eggplant, papaya, chillies, peppers, potatoes, shallots, Ficus, Anthurium, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Dipladenia, and Gardenia and strawberries have been documented. T. parvispinus undergoes five phases of development and completes their life cycle in 13–15 days. Larvae suck sap from the underside of leaves, whilst adults primarily colonise on flowers and the underside of leaves. The production of fruits is decreased by infestation, which results in high flower drop. Several IPM approaches like timely planting, mulching, balanced use of nitrogenous fertilizers, installation of blue sticky traps, spraying of biopesticides and microbial pesticides and some insecticides like Spirotetramat @ 160g/acre, tolfenpyrad 15 EC @ 1 ml/L of water, spinetoram 11.7 SC @1 ml/L and many more recommended by CIB&RC. The review presents the status of T. parvispinus at national and global level, including its identification, taxonomic status, distribution and host range, biology and lifecycle, nature of damage, feeding behaviour and various management strategies, in the context of the seriousness of the damage caused by the invasive pest in India in the recent past. This review also discusses the importance of exploring various IPM techniques for the control of this invasive thrips.

Keywords

Thrips, T. parvispinus, chilli, polyphagous, pest status, life cycle, integrated pest management

Conclusion

The pest, Thrips parvispinus is known as a global pest and it is reported across the worldwide. The presence of this invasive pest on ornamental plants meant for export poses major risks and causes quarantine authority’s great concern. Systematic surveillance of T. parvispinus in other regions of India is also necessary since it may become a pest or vector. Thrips are better managed when a community-based strategy to pest control is used, especially when the infestation is spreading widely. In order to create insecticide resistance management techniques as part of IPM, baseline toxicological data describing the pest's susceptibility to various insecticides indicated for thrips management must be developed. Understanding the causes of the T. parvispinus epidemic caused by shifting climatic conditions as well as other ecological and genetic factors aids in being ready in case similar circumstances arise in the future. Overall, it is advised to use an integrated pest management strategy to control T. parvispinus, which includes a variety of eco-friendly tools like host plant resistance, biological control options like entomopathogens, physical and mechanical control measures, and the use of eco-friendly insecticide molecules.

References

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How to cite this article

Manisha Yadav, Balbir Singh, Geeta Devi, Pooja Kumari, Neeraj Kumar and Priyal Choudhary (2023). Thrips parvispinus (Karny): Pest of concern to Indian farmers in Chilli – A Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(7): 177-184.