Although there are more than 1,000 described species of thrips from Europe, the Mediterranean region, and Africa, since 1983 only 130 species have been intercepted in cargo and shipments of plants coming into the various ports-of-entry in the United States. Of these, only 23 species consistently made up ca. 85% of the identifiable thrips. There is a high potential for these minute insects to join the ranks of invasive species that could threaten U.S. agricultural products. To meet the needs of port identifiers to quickly identify thrips, a 5-part series of identification guides is in progress.
Species 1: Thysanoptera Thripidae Frankliniella occidentalis (Western flower thrips)
Species 2: Thysanoptera Thripidae Hercinothrips bicinctus
Species 3: Thysanoptera Thripidae Neohydatothrips samayunkur
Keywords: invasive species
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