Thrips H. setiger

Haplothrips setiger 

1. Identification

• Common name: Thrips (no common name)
• Scientific name: Haplothrips setiger Priesner
• Order: Thysanoptera
• Family: Phlaeothripidae

2. Pest description

• Small‑sized thrips species, with a narrow, dark body.
• Narrow wings with long fringes, typical of the order.
• Nymphs generally yellowish, found on young leaves and floral structures.
• Feeding based on the rasping of plant tissues and suction of the cell contents.
• It may occur in agricultural and ornamental crops, although with less impact than species of the genus Frankliniella.

3. Main hosts

• Various spontaneous herbaceous plants.
• Horticultural and ornamental crops, mainly under greenhouse conditions.
• Plants with dense floral structures, where it shelters and feeds.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Silvering and discoloration of the leaves due to the destruction of the epidermal cells.
• Small dark spots (excrement) on the leaf surface.
• Slight deformations in young leaves and flowers.
• Generally moderate damage, but it may intensify in hot, dry environments.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs inserted into the plant tissues.
• Nymphs feed actively on the leaves and flowers.
• Pre‑pupa and pupa in the soil or in plant debris.
• Cycle favoured by high temperatures and low humidity.
• Possibility of several generations per year.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of symptoms and the presence of insects.
• Blue or yellow sticky traps for detection.
• Sampling of young leaves and flowers.
• Reinforced monitoring in greenhouses and dry periods.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: removal of heavily affected plants; control of spontaneous plants; adequate ventilation in greenhouses.
• Preventive: use of pest‑free plants; cultural hygiene; insect‑proof nets.
• Biological: use of predatory mites (Amblyseius swirskii, A. cucumeris) and predatory bugs (Orius spp.).
• Integrated protection: judicious application of authorised insecticides; rotation of modes of action; integration with biological control.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Haplothrips setiger.
• CABI – Invasive Species Compendium – Thysanoptera.
• Mound, L. A. & Marullo, R. (1996). The Thrips of Central and South America. Memoirs on Entomology International.
• 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.