The effects of acylsugars of the wild tomato Solanum pennellii on the oviposition behavior of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca)

Western flower thrips and tobacco thrips are the primary vectors of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in North Carolina agroecosystems. Because of the rapidity with which they can transmit TSWV, insecticides are of limited effectiveness in virus spread. Acylsugars are produced by the wild tomato Solanum pennellii. These sugars demonstrate insect-repellant properties and have promise as a novel thrips control mechanism. The effects of varying concentrations of acylsugar extracts from a S. pennellii derived plant line and S. pennellii accessions were tested in bioassays to quantify effects on oviposition of F. fusca and F. occidentalis . In addition, S. pennellii derived lines and tomato x S. pennellii F1 hybrids were included in field trials to determine their effects on infestations of both thrips species and on TSWV incidence. Results showed a significant reduction in oviposition on acylsugar–treated surfaces in the bioassays and in thrips populations and TSWV incidence in the field trials.  These results provide direction to the development of thrips-resistant tomato breeding lines that naturally produce acylsugars.