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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #181208
Title: GYNAIKOTHRIPS UZELI ZIMMERMAN (THYSANOPTERA: PHLAEOTHRIPIDAE) IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. DISTRIBUTION AND REVIEW OF BIOLOGY

Author
item HELD, DAVID - MS STATE UNIV
item Boyd Jr, David
item LOCKLEY, TIM - MS DEPT OF AGRIC
item EDWARDS, G - FLORIDA DEPT OF AGRIC

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2005
Publication Date: 12/1/2005
Citation: Held, D.W., Boyd Jr, D.W., Lockley, T., Edwards, G.B. 2005. Gynaikothrips uzeli zimmerman (thysanoptera: phlaeothripidae) in the southeastern United States. Florida Entomologist. 88:538-540.

Interpretive Summary: A pest thrips (Gynaikothrips uzeli) of weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) was recently discovered in the United States. The spread of this insect has not been documented. We collected this insect in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Records from Florida were also updated. This information will be used by other scientist to help keep this pest from spreading further. It will also help growers identify the pest and find recommended control tactics.

Technical Abstract: Leaf galls on Ficus benjamina containing immature and adult Gynaikothrips uzeli were collected from containerized plants in the landscape and at retail outlets in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama. This thrips, first reported in 2003 on weeping figs in south Florida, and certain associated natural enemies appear to be spreading across the southeast through movement of infected plants.