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Title: FRANKLINIELLA OCCIDENTALIS (PERGANDE) (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE) COLONIZATION ON OKRA- AND NORMAL-LEAF COTTON STRAINS AND CULTIVARS

Author
item CHEN, TIAN-YE - U OF A PHOENIX, AZ
item CHU, CHANG CHI
item HENNEBERRY, THOMAS

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2006
Publication Date: 12/1/2006
Citation: Chen, T., Chu, C., Henneberry, T.J. 2006. Frankliniella occidentalis colonization on okra- and normal-leaf cotton strains and cultivars. Southwestern Entomologist.

Interpretive Summary: We conducted field studies on the behavior of western flower thrips (WFT) on normal-leaf and okra-leaf upland cottons in 2003 and 2004. Results from five normal- and five okra-leaf varieties showed that numbers of WFT on okra-leaf varieties were greater compared with normal-leaf varieties. Sticky card traps simulating the two types of leaf shape showed that more WFT were caught on the trap edges compared with the interiors of sticky card trap of either shape. Okra-leaf shape sticky card traps with larger perimeters caught more WFT than normal-leaf shape sticky card traps with smaller perimeters. Results indicate that when okra-leaf varieties are selected for resistance to whiteflies or pests, the preference of WFT should be considered for its negative impact.

Technical Abstract: With blue sticky card traps as sampling tools, populations of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), developing on normal-leaf and okra-leaf upland cotton strains and cultivars, were studied in the field in 2003 and 2004. Five normal-leaf and three okra-leaf strains and cultivars were included in the 2003 studies, and four normal-leaf and four okra-leaf strains and cultivars were studied in 2004. F. occidentalis caught on blue sticky card traps in okra-leaf strain and cultivar plots were significantly greater compared with normal-leaf strain and cultivar plots during both years of the study. Okra-leaf shape and normal-leaf shape sticky card trap studies were conducted in the field to determine if these features contributed to F. occidentalis' preference for okra-leaf cultivars. Significantly more F. occidentalis were caught on the trap edges compared with the interiors of sticky card traps of either shape. Okra-leaf shape sticky card traps with larger perimeters caught more F. occidentalis than normal-leaf shape sticky card traps with smaller perimeters. When okra-leaf cotton strains and cultivars are considered for selection for resistance to B. tabaci or other pests, the possible preference of F. occidentalis for the okra-leaf strains and cultivars should be considered.