Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), a member of the genus Tospovirus, is among the most damaging viruses encountered in the floriculture industry. INSV has been reported to be vectored by two thrips species: Frankliniella occidentalis and F. fusca. Onset of viral symptoms in some crops may take up to 10 days or longer, which makes the management of the virus difficult. Although testing kits for INSV are commercially available, use of this tool is costly. Use of indicator plants such as petunia or fava bean that show viral symptoms within 2-7 days have been studied to monitor for viruliferous thrips. However, no studies of relative attractiveness to these plants compared to common greenhouse crops have been performed, thus making use of this tool limited.

The objective of this study is to determine vector preference for key crop and indicator plants. Choice tests will be performed using three important commercial greenhouse crops susceptible to INSV and two indicator plant species. The crops include garden impatiens, chrysanthemum, and tomato compared to fava bean and ornamental tobacco as indicators. The western flower thrips (F. occidentalis) will be used in this study because it has been found to be an efficient vector of INSV commonly encountered in greenhouses. By understanding vector preferences, use of indicator plants should result as an effective tool for early INSV detection.