LABORATORY TECHNIQUE FOR REARING WESTERN FLOWER THRIPS (THYSANOPTERA, THRIPIDAE)

A method for the simultaneous and multiple rearing of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), larvae of an even and known age is described, which incorporates parafilm membranes for oviposition and leaf disks for larval development. In total, 59 female F. occidentalis that fed on pollen laid 150 eggs during 6 h in five rearing cages. Over 70% hatched and developed to second instar. Mortality during the pupal stage was high (total mortality > 45%, so the method is less suitable for rearing adults.