European Grass Thrips

Chirothrips manicatus

1. Identification

• Common name: European grass thrips
• Scientific name: Chirothrips manicatus Haliday
• Order: Thysanoptera
• Family: Thripidae

2. Pest description

• Small-sized thrips species, with a narrow body and brown to dark-brown coloration.
• Pale nymphs, generally present in grass inflorescences.
• Feeds by rasping floral tissues and sucking the cell contents.
• Associated mainly with Poaceae, with a higher incidence in temperate regions.

3. Main hosts

• Grasses (Poaceae) in general.
• Cereals such as wheat, barley, oats and rye.
• Volunteer pasture grasses.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Damage concentrated in inflorescences and spikelets.
• Reduction in flower fertility and lower grain formation.
• Small scars and discolorations on the floral structures.
• Potential impact on cereals, especially under dry conditions.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs deposited in floral tissues.
• Nymphs feed actively on spikelets and young flowers.
• Pre-pupa and pupa in the soil or in plant debris.
• Cycle favoured by moderate to high temperatures.
• Several generations per year, with a higher incidence in spring and summer.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of inflorescences and spikelets.
• Regular sampling in cereals and pastures.
• Sticky traps as a complementary method.
• Reinforced monitoring during dry periods.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: crop rotation; control of volunteer grasses; adequate stubble management.
• Preventive: sowing at times less favourable to the pest; maintenance of plant vigour.
• Biological: promotion of natural enemies present in cereal agroecosystems.
• Integrated protection: judicious application of authorized insecticides; rotation of modes of action; integration with cultural practices.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Chirothrips manicatus.
• CABI – Invasive Species Compendium – Chirothrips manicatus.
• Kirk, W. D. J. (1997). Feeding behaviour and nutritional requirements of thrips. In: Thrips as Crop Pests.
• Mound, L. A. & Teulon, D. A. J. (1995). Thysanoptera as phytophagous pests. Annual Review of Entomology.
• Vierbergen, G. (1998). Thrips species associated with grasses and cereals in Europe. Acta Horticulturae.