Tobacco Thrips, Frankliniella fusca
(Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The tobacco thrips is distributed throughout the United States and is most often a pest in the southeastern states. Several weeds are identified that support high populations of the tobacco thrips. Natural enemies are not well documented but one nematode identified may parasitize up to 68% of thrips in Florida. Thrips are common in the spring and fall and tomato blossoms are infested from April to June. Several generations occur each year and the life cycle requires 15 to 21 days. The egg is inserted into the foliage and is white and bean shaped. The larvae feed in hidden habitats such as blossoms and terminal growth points and are yellowish or whitish in color. Pupation occurs in the soil and the pupa is yellow. The adult has two pairs of fringed wings and is relatively small in size. The head is light brown or yellowish-brown and the abdomen is dark brown. Distinguishing the tobacco thrips from other types of thrips requires the expertise of a trained specialist.

Vegetable crops that are commonly infested by the tobacco thrips include bean, beet, cantaloupe, carrot, corn, cowpea, cucumber, onion, pea, pepper, potato, tomato, and watermelon. Because tobacco thrips is capable of vectoring viruses such as tomato spotted wilt virus, it is known principally as a pest of tomato and peanut. Seedlings can be damaged by the tobacco thrips and damaged leaves tend to curl upward and have a silvery crinkled appearance. Buds may also be destroyed. Populations in the field may be determined by sampling blossoms and it is recommended that 16 to 18 flowers be collected from each sample site. Management is normally accomplished by the application of insecticides to the blossoms and foliage. Insecticides should be rotated in order to reduce the occurrence of resistance in the field.

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Tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca, larva.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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Tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca, macropterous adult
female.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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