Global invasion of Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) across three continents associated with its one haplotype

Authors: Ahmed, Muhammad; ROBERTS, JOHN - University Of Florida; SOTO-ADAMES, FELIPE - Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services; McKenzie, Cindy; OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2024
Publication Date: 11/15/2024
Citation: Ahmed, M.Z., Roberts, J.W., Soto-Adames, F.N., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L. Global invasion of Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) across three continents associated with its one haplotype. Journal of Applied Entomology. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13376.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13376

Interpretive Summary: Thrips parvispinus (Karny) is an exotic pest that has invaded globally in the last three decades. It was first reported in Florida in 2020 on ornamental plants (Hoya and Anthurium) in greenhouses and open landscapes (Gardenia) in 2021. However, its first report on open vegetable fields (Capsicum) in Florida was in 2022. We conducted the genetic analysis and revealed only one population of T. parvispinus invaded across three continents, including Florida. The same population was found in ornamental greenhouses, open landscapes, and open vegetable fields in Florida. Almost all the plant retail stores in our survey were positive for T. parvispinus, and we suspected plant retail stores to be one of the sources of T. parvispinus introduction in the open fields and landscapes. The result of this study will help in regulatory and management decisions of T. parvispinus in Florida and worldwide.

Technical Abstract: Thrips parvispinus (Karny) is an exotic pest that has invaded many regions around the world in the last three decades. It was first detected in Florida in 2020 on ornamental plants (Hoya and Anthurium) in greenhouses and later on ornamental plants in open landscapes (Gardenia) in 2021. However, its first report on open vegetable fields (Capsicum) in Florida was in 2022. We conducted a genetic analysis to answer three questions: 1) Is the population of T. parvispinus that invaded Florida the same as the one that has spread globally in the last few decades? 2) Is the host expansion to Capsicum in Florida a new population or the extension of the existing population reported on ornamental plants? 3) What are the native and invaded distribution ranges of T. parvispinus? We analyzed the genetic variation in the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) to address these questions. The global genetic diversity analysis of T. parvispinus revealed 16 haplotypes (populations) worldwide based on available data, but only one population (Hap1) invaded three continents: Africa, Europe, and North America. This population was detected in greenhouses in 2020, on ornamental plants in the landscapes in 2021, in open vegetable fields in 2022, and on plants in retail stores in 2022 and 2023 in Florida. Based on available data, the highest haplotype diversity was observed in India, suggesting India may be part of the presumed native range (South and Southeast Asian countries) of T. parvispinus. Our survey of retail plant stores across ten Florida counties indicated that plant trade is the source of T. parvispinus in the open field crops and landscape plants. The outcome of this study will assist with regulatory and management decisions of T. parvispinus in Florida and elsewhere.