Abstracts

The onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman, Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a frequent problem in summer onion crops in the vegetable-growing regions of eastern Austria. It is favoured by increasing heat and drought. The predatory thrips species Aeolothrips intermedius (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) is regularly observed in this crop and is well known to farmers. If present in sufficient numbers, it can enable a sustainable reduction of T. tabaci populations. To identify their preferred (flowering) plants as sources of pollen and winter habitats, collections of A. intermedius were carried out in flower strips and plant-rich field margins in spring and autumn. A field trial was conducted to compare the population dynamics and development of pest and beneficial in summer onions with and without specifically designed annual and biennial flowering strips. Preliminary results show the presence of T. tabaci and A. intermedius adults and larvae on the onion plants and selected flowering plant species. This study may contribute to the assessment of the potential of habitat management – by attracting and promoting A. intermedius through a mix of functionally appropriate flowering plants – as a means of controlling onion thrips in summer onion crops.

Scirtothrips ginkgoe, a thrips species described in 2012 and, to date, known only from Ginkgo biloba and recorded exclusively from Zhejiang Province (China), was detected in France in 2023. The species was associated with severe damage in a commercial plantation of G. biloba grown for the pharmaceutical industry in Gironde, France. The origin of the infestation remains unknown. No planting material had been introduced into the production site for more than 30 years, although the affected plantation is located near both Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport and the Port of Bordeaux.

Species identification was confirmed by the French National Reference Laboratory using morphological characters. However, diagnosis of S. ginkgoe is particularly challenging because of its close resemblance to Scirtothrips dorsalis, an EU quarantine pest. Adult females can be distinguished from S. dorsalis by a single morphological character: the absence of dark transverse lines on the abdominal tergites, whereas no reliable morphological characters are available for larval stages. This limitation is especially problematic for the correct identification of the species, as samples intercepted at points of entry frequently consist of immature specimens. In our study, we generated the first DNA barcode sequence for S. ginkgoe based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI). In addition, we updated the key to European Thysanoptera developed by zur Strassen (2003) by incorporating S. ginkgoe together with the three Scirtothrips species regulated as quarantine pests in the European Union (S. aurantii, S. citri and S. dorsalis).

This study represents the first record of S. ginkgoe in Europe and outside its native range and provides morphological and molecular data that improve its identification and discrimination from both EU-regulated quarantine pests and other Scirtothrips species occurring in Europe, thereby supporting surveillance efforts across Europe.

Entomology Laboratory of the Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture (CISTA, ÚKZÚZ), serving as the National Reference Laboratory for Insects and Mites, is located in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Its primary activities include the detection and identification of insects and mites in agriculture, horticulture, storage facilities, and food products, as well as the analysis of import and export samples using light microscopy and molecular methods (PCR and sequencing).

Colour preference is a well-known phenomenon in insects, including Thysanoptera species. The study goal was to investigate the effectiveness of bowl traps of different colours in predicting thrips species’occurrence in an urban area. In 2017, from early June to late September, a yellow, red, and white bowl trap was placed on the top of different coloured buildings of the National Public Health Center in four locations in district 8 of Budapest (47°28'N 19°05'E). The locations were at a height of 15-25 m, and the traps were emptied weekly. All collected specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol, and adults were prepared for mass identification on up to 6-8 per microscopic slide in Berlese-Hoyer’s solution. The identification was made using the key of Schliephake and Klimt (1979), Jenser (1982), and zur Strassen (2003).

Because of the huge number of collected specimens, we focused on data from 2017. Altogether 48 Thysanoptera species were collected, 46 from the Terebrantia and 2 from the Tubulifera suborder. The most frequent species were: Thrips tabaci, Frankliniella intonsa, Mycterothrips salicis, Iranodendrothrips kamalii, Dendrothrips degeeri, and Tenothrips frici. Two species, Iranodendrothrips kamalii and Pseudodendrothrips mori were found to be new to the Hungarian Thysanoptera fauna. Regarding all buildings, thrips individuals were most numerous in the yellow bowl trap and less numerous in the red trap.

Invasive thrips have affected global agriculture since the intensification of trade in plant material. In Spain, two invasive Scirtothrips species have recently emerged as citrus pests: Scirtothrips dorsalis, first recorded in Alicante in 2016 and later spreading to Murcia and Andalusia, and Scirtothrips aurantii, detected in Huelva in 2020 and widespread throughout the Valencian Community by 2024. That year, S. aurantii caused severe damage in citrus, with up to 90% of fruit affected in some lemon varieties, becoming the most abundant and damaging Scirtothrips species in the region, although damage levels varied in subsequent years.

Sustainable IPM strategies for S. aurantii require integrating biological control, monitoring and vegetation management. Several natural enemies are being evaluated, but the role of non-crop vegetation remains unresolved. Functional plant biodiversity can support conservation biological control; however, the polyphagy of S. aurantii means that the same vegetation could also act as a pest reservoir. Identifying alternative host plants is therefore essential for designing safe ecological infrastructures.

Since autumn 2024, thrips communities associated with vegetation in Valencian citrus agroecosystems have been surveyed, covering nearly 500 samples from 62 plant species across 22 botanical families. All recovered thrips species are being identified to characterize pest-associated and beneficial communities. While most herbaceous plant species did not harbour relevant S. aurantii populations, Onobrychis viciifolia and Achillea millefolium recurrently hosted larvae and adults, but populations remained low until after the highest fruit-damage risk period. Furthermore, woody Fabaceae and Rosaceae, together with other Mediterranean shrubs such as Pistacia lentiscus, supported moderate to high populations of larvae and adults. Surveyed vegetation also hosted diverse thrips communities, including predatory species and several faunistically noteworthy records.

These results show that plant biodiversity management must balance conservation benefits against pest-reservoir risks, providing a basis for safer ecological infrastructures in Mediterranean citrus IPM programmes.

This is the first report of Hercinothrips femoralis Reuter, 1891 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in emmers aquatic plants in Hungary. The specimens were caught in coloured stickytraps (blue) placed close above the vegetation in a tropical greenhouse where the plants are produced in an hydroponic system. For identification the insects were collected with a brush and stored in alcohol. The identification was done by dr. Szilvia Orosz in the Plant Health Diagnostic National Reference Laboratory of Hungary.

In 2025 from May to September thrips specimens were collected from different plant species in an aquatic plant nursery in Szentkirály, Hungary. The aim of the study was to identify the different pest species in this specific environment and to determine the timing of pesticide use. The numbers H. femoralis (females and males and larvae) found and collected from the vegetation for May: 59 adults and 5 larvae. For July: 12 adults, For Septembre: 28 adults and 5 larvae. The femate to male ratio of the total samples were 89 to 10.

H. femoralis is a highly polyphagous pest, which is native to Africa and damages mainly ornamental plants in the tropical and sub-tropical countries of the Globe (http1). The species was first collected in Hungary in 1938 (Tasnádi et al., 1992). The species was probably imported to Hungary from Africa or the Netherlands with greenhouse ornamentals. Successively it was spread to other European countries as well, cousing damages in greenhouses on crops and ornamentals as well (E. Roditakis et al., 2006).

This is the first record of Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Hungary. The specimens were collected from a cotton (Gossypium spp.) plant located in one of the outer section of the citrus greenhouse at the Botanical Garden of Eötvös Loránd University (Fővárosi Füvészkert) in Budapest. The samplings have been carried out on three different occasions to monitor the presence of this species so far. The numbers of the individuals found on the plants are as follows: 3 larvae were collected on 10 July 2025; all the specimens were unidentifiable on 1 October 2025; and 6 adults were successfully collected on 29 January 2026. The larval stages were identified by Sanger sequencing method that confirmed the presence of T. parvispinus.

1. parvispinus, commonly known as the Southeast Asian papaya thrips, is a highly polyphagous quarantine pest native to the Asian tropics. The species has recently emerged as a significant invasive pest in Southern Europe and North America, primarily spreading through the international trade of ornamental plants and plant propagation materials (Mound and Collins, 2000). The species is known to cause severe damage to a wide range of host plants in greenhouse environments. Originally restricted to isolated greenhouse populations or flower imports, T. parvispinus is increasingly establishing in the wild or in greenhouse horticulture in Southern Europe (Cocuzza et al., 2026).

The possible pathway of its spread to the Hungarian botanical garden and its potential risk to domestic greenhouse plant protection is still unknown, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of this pest.

Literature:

Cocuzza, G. M., Hmad, E. B., Novara, R. 2026. First report in Italy of Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922) (Thysanoptera, Thripidae), a major threat for Sicilian horticulture and floriculture

EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization). 2023. Thrips parvispinus. EPPO Global Database. URL: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/THRIPA

Mound, L., Collins, D. 2000. A south east Asian pest species newly recorded from Europe: Thrips parvispinus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), its confused identity and potential quarantine significance. European Journal of Entomology. 97. 197-200. 10.14411/eje.2000.037.

On 28 May 2025, a Ficus microcarpa bonsai infested with thrips was brought to the Agriculture Plant Protection and Soil Conservation Department in Szombathely. The plant was imported from Italy. Numerous galls, and within them lots of eggs, larvae, and adults were observed. Gyula Both submitted the thrips samples from the infested plant to the Plant Health Diagnostic National Reference Laboratory with a suspected Gynaikothrips infestation. Both molecular and morphological analyses confirmed the presence of Gynaikothrips ficorum.

This species originated from Southeast Asia, and is a serious pest of outdoor Ficus spp. in the Mediterranean region of Europe, and the other tropical and subtropical parts of the world. In the cooler countries of Central and Northern Europe, the thrips emerged in the 2000s through the mass imports of the expanding global ornamental plant trade. As for continental indoor populations, the species occurs in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, among others. The frequency of the damage in these countries is low or sporadic, and strictly limited to greenhouses, botanical gardens, palm houses, and indoor plants. G. ficorum is not able to overwinter in the temperate zone, so even when introduced, it can only maintain a permanent population in enclosed spaces.

References:

Fedor, P.; Varga, L. (2007): First record of, Gynaikothrips ficorum Marchal, 1908 (Thysanoptera) in Slovakia. Thysanopteron Pismo Entomologiczne. Vol. 3(1), 2007: 1–2.

Pelikán J (1991) The Cuban-laurel thrips (Gynaikothrips ficorum, Marchal, 1908) in greenhouses in Czechoslovakia. [Czech]. Ochrana Rostlin 27: 287–291.

The first research on Thysanoptera in Poland was conducted at the beginning of the 20th century (1902-1911) by Fryderyk Schille. He studied thrips in the Carpathian Mountains, particularly in the Poprad River valley. He found several new-to-science thrips species, including Ankothrips niezabitowskii, Scolothrips uzeli, Acantothrips albovittatus, Thorybothrips unicolor, and Xylaplothrips fuliginosus. In 1936, Stefan Kelér published a checklist of 86 species from the lowlands of the middle part of Poland, within its then-current borders.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Oettingen conducted research in the vicinity of Gorzów Wielkopolski, which was within the German border at the time. He has described Aeolothrips pulcher and noted Thermothrips mohelensis; neither of these species has been observed in Poland again. Starting in the 1960s, Sęczkowska and Zawirska worked in applied entomology, simultaneously collecting data on thrips across various natural biotopes in Poland.

In 1988, Zawirska published a checklist of Thysanoptera collected in Poland, covering 183 species. Thirteen years later, during the 7th Symposium on Thysanoptera in Reggio di Calabria, we presented a checklist of 216 species of thrips, among which 34 have been recorded only once and at only one locality in our country. Thanks to the long-term research by Zawirska and Kucharczyk, and the studies of other researchers, including Pokuta, Sierka, Stanisławek, Pobożniak et all., our knowledge of the distribution of Thysanoptera in Poland is becoming increasingly complete. However, there are still regions, such as the northwestern, northeastern, and western parts of the country, that remain insufficiently explored.

Preparing the current list of Thysanoptera occurred in Poland for the GBIF database, Kucharczyk summarised data on 237 species, including two new to science: Taeniothrips zurstrassenii Zawirska and Xylaplothrips zawirskae Kucharczyk. The best-known and most frequently studied was the Thysanoptera fauna found in national parks, reserves, and other valuable natural areas, as well as in anthropogenically modified ones.

Given the increasing importance of biological plant protection in the European Union, including in Poland, a two-year study (2023–2024) was conducted at the Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Kraków, Poland, to compare the efficacy of biopesticides based on the entomopathogenic fungi. The tested biopreparations were Naturalis® (Beauveria bassiana (Bals.)) and Klozer (Metarhizium brunneum Petch 1935), formerly Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.), which were used against the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, under field and laboratory conditions on two onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars (Niagara F1 and Wenta).

Onion thrips is among the most destructive pests of onion worldwide, causing substantial yield and quality losses. The growing demand for environmentally friendly pest management strategies has increased interest in microbial biopesticides as sustainable alternatives to conventional insecticides within integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

In both growing seasons, the evaluated biopesticides significantly reduced T. tabaci populations; however, their efficacy differed between field and laboratory conditions. The biopesticide based on B. bassiana consistently provided higher efficacy than the biopesticide based on M. brunneum under both experimental conditions. The highest levels of pest suppression were achieved under laboratory conditions, whereas efficacy in the field was lower and more variable. Moreover, it was notice that application of both biopesticides cause a reduction of predatory thrips populations, highlighting the need to consider their potential effects on beneficial arthropods when developing biological control strategies.

The results demonstrate that entomopathogenic fungal biopesticides represent a promising tool for the sustainable management of T. tabaci in onion production.

Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci LINDEMAN, 1889) is a pest of economic importance with three distinct lineages within a cryptic species complex. Despite the economic significance of this pest, many attributes of these lineages are not yet clear, since the recognition of the lineages is relatively recent. The aim of this paper is to provide updates about the latest findings. The adult females in the three lineages are indistinguishable based on external morphological traits, although females in the tobacco-associated (T) lineage are smaller than females in the leek-associated 1 (L1) or leek-associated 2 (L2) lineages. We developed a relatively simple identification tool that can identify the lineages without sequencing PCR products. We produced a comprehensive review of plants in which evidence of breeding occurs among the lineages. The results indicate that L2 is the most widespread lineage by number of host plants and distribution; L1 lineage is primarily found on onion crops and with localized distribution and the T lineage is only reported from tobacco in few locations. We also performed no-choice-design cross-mating experiments under a controlled laboratory environment with virgin adult individuals from all three lineages in order to study the reproductive behaviour of onion thrips. We found that the L1 and L2 lineages of this cryptic species complex are reproductively isolated from the T lineage; therefore, they represent different species. Divergence in the behaviour of conspecific and heterospecific pairs became evident only after contact. We confirmed mating between thelytokous females (L2) and arrhenotokous males of the L1 lineage. The post-mating behaviour of males indicated the possible presence of an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone. Both the L1 and L2 lineages are known to perceive the UV-A range of light but the spectral sensitivity of the L2 lineage seems to be lower in the UV-A range than in the L1 lineage.

Field experiments evaluating the efficacy of biological and chemical preparations against onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.) in leek (Allium ampeloprasum cv. ‘Jolant’) were conducted in a commercial fruit and vegetable farm located in Rożki near Sandomierz, Poland (50°40′57″ N, 21°44′56″ E; 185 m a.s.l.). The trials were established in a randomized block design with five treatments and four replications during 2016–2017 and 2019.

In 2016–2017, the evaluated treatments included PREV-AM Plus (0.4%), Naturalis-L (1.0%), NeemAzal T/S (3.0%), and the insecticide Mospilan 20 SP ( a.i. acetamiprid 0.02%). Untreated plots served as the control. In 2019, the treatments consisted of Naturalis-L at 1.0% and 1.5%, NeemAzal T/S at 3.0%, and a mixture of Naturalis-L (1.0%) with NeemAzal T/S (3.0%). During 2016–2017, three applications were performed at two-week intervals, whereas in 2019 the number of treatments was increased to nine applied weekly.

In 2016, all tested biological products and Mospilan 20 SP significantly reduced onion thrips populations compared with the untreated control. However, PREV-AM Plus provided the highest level of control and resulted in the lowest number of thrips recorded on leek plants. In 2017, all biological treatments significantly suppressed T. tabaci populations relative to the control. Moreover, Naturalis-L was the only treatment that significantly reduced thrips abundance compared with Mospilan 20 SP. In 2019, all tested biological preparations significantly decreased onion thrips infestation compared with the untreated plots. The highest efficacy was achieved with Naturalis-L applied at a concentration of 1.0%.

The results demonstrate that biological preparations, particularly Naturalis-L, can effectively reduce T. tabaci populations in leek cultivation and may represent a valuable component of integrated pest management programs.

Baliothrips dispar (Haliday, 1836) is a Holarctic thrips associated mainly with graminoid plants in wetland habitats. Although traditionally regarded as morphologically well defined, the species exhibits considerable geographic variation in characters related to wing development and dispersal. This study examines females from Yakutia and Magadan assigned to forma sibirica and compares them with European material.

European females are generally macropterous or hemimacropterous, whereas females of forma sibirica are consistently micropterous and exhibit a correlated reduction of several flight-associated structures. The metascutellum is absent or strongly reduced, and the lateral ctenidia on abdominal tergites VI–VIII, normally regarded as stable diagnostic characters within the Thrips genus-group, may be completely absent. This combination of character states complicates identification with existing keys and may result in confusion with unrelated micropterous taxa.

Two micropterous females from Magadan show an intermediate morphology. Despite their strongly shortened wings, they possess a clearly developed clavus with retinaculum, a distinct metascutellum, complete abdominal ctenidia and forked sense cones on antennal segments III and IV. These specimens provide a morphological link between the typical European form and the strongly reduced forma sibirica.

The available evidence suggests that the observed differences do not represent a sharply delimited taxonomic discontinuity, but rather a gradual reduction series involving the wings and associated thoracic and abdominal structures. Siberian populations may represent the extreme endpoint of dispersal reduction, possibly favoured by stable, wind-exposed tundra habitats and associated with apparently parthenogenetic reproduction. The study demonstrates that characters widely used in thrips taxonomy may become unstable under strong morphological reduction and should therefore be interpreted in their geographic and ecological context.

Approximately thirty species of Thysanoptera recorded from Germany are regarded as alien or introduced. Their occurrence reflects the continuing influence of international plant trade, greenhouse cultivation and climatic conditions that may facilitate establishment.

During the past five years, several noteworthy alien species have been recorded, including Hercinothrips aethiopiae, H. dimidiatus, Taeniothrips eucharii, Dichromothrips corbetti, Thrips hawaiiensis and the dark form of Frankliniella schultzei. Most records were made by the author, and voucher specimens are deposited in the Thrips-iD reference collection.

Of particular interest is the occurrence of introduced thrips outdoors. Frankliniella occidentalis has been found to overwinter in the open in climatically warmer parts of Germany. Thrips hawaiiensis has also been recorded outdoors in the Ortenau region of south-western Germany. These findings indicate that some alien species may no longer be restricted to protected cultivation or temporary introductions.

A further remarkable specimen collected near Karlsruhe belongs to a Trichromothrips species that is probably undescribed. It resembles T. xanthius and T. crispator but differs clearly from both in several morphological character states. Because only a single specimen is available, a formal description has been postponed.

These records highlight the importance of continuous monitoring, voucher preservation and taxonomic expertise for detecting introduced thrips, assessing their establishment and evaluating potential phytosanitary risks.

Molecular identification of Thysanoptera species requires reliable, cost effective, and rapid DNA extraction techniques suitable for small bodied insects. This study compares thrips DNA extraction with rapid sodium hydroxide (NaOH) lysis and a Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit method.

Methods: Two extraction methodologies were applied to F. occidentalis specimens preserved in 96% ethanol.

NaOH Protocol: A rapid, low-cost extraction in 10 µL of 0.02 M NaOH quantified after 24 hours via a BioTek Epoch 2 Microplate Spectrophotometer.

Qiagen Kit Protocol: Extraction using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit following the manufacturer's animal tissue protocol, including a 24hour digestion period at 55°C with Animal Tissue Lysis buffer and Proteinase K, followed by standard wash steps and elution.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification targeting a 656 bp fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene was conducted using BioMaster HS–Taq and degenerate primers LCO1490JJ and HCO2198JJ. Amplification success was evaluated via 1.2% agarose gel electrophoresis with EcoDay staining under UV transillumination. Amplicons were purified using the ReliaPrep™ DNA CleanUp System and sequenced via Sanger sequencing on an Applied Biosystems SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer using the BigDye™ Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit. Sequences were edited and aligned in BioEdit, compared against reference entries in the NCBI GenBank database, and subjected to evolutionary analysis in MEGA12 across 40 coding sequences.

Results and Conclusions: The rapid NaOH method provided an accessible, time efficient alternative for DNA extraction, whereas the Qiagen kit showed high purity template DNA suitable for long term storage at –20°C and consistent downstream applications. COI sequencing yielded clean 656 bp alignments. Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction using the Kimura 2–parameter model (log-likelihood = –1791.09) successfully placed the isolates within known F. occidentalis lineages. This comparative framework establishes practical guidelines for balancing speed, cost, and sequence fidelity in thrips molecular diagnostics and phylogenetics.

Exotic thrips pests in The Netherlands: past, present and tomorrow

Growers of plants often fear thrips pests in their crops, in particular species of the Thripidae. Due to their small size, deposition of eggs in plant tissue, pupation in soil and fast reproduction, they create a threat to their profits. Chemical and biological control methods have been developed for the specific biological characteristics of each pest species.

Therefore, introduction of formerly unknown pest species with new characteristics in a region is prevented by official inspections and monitoring of import plant products. However, these officials not only detect known pests, but also all kinds of non-indigenous Thysanoptera, which can have a potential to settle in a region as well.

In The Netherlands, the first recorded thrips species are two, nowadays pantropical, pests found at the end of the nineteenth century in tropical greenhouses: Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis and Parthenothrips dracaenae. These species were followed by another exotic in the culture of lily bulbs: Liothrips vaneeckei Priesner. After these records lists of indigenous Thysanoptera species and some other exotic pests followed. These early records indicate in The Netherlands thrips were first known in the world of growers.

It is clear that due to increased international trade in plant products the number of settled exotic thrips pests raised in each European country. Due to the Netherlands history of knowledge about thrips pests, an overview is prepared of the species involved, with a short description of their impact in cultures. Some trends in introductions can be pointed out. 

A revised checklist of the Thysanoptera of Thuringia, central Germany, is presented based on a critical reassessment of historical literature and extensive recent collections. Historical records were evaluated according to current taxonomy and present-day state boundaries, taking into account that some older studies covered areas extending beyond modern Thuringia. Recent material collected between 1998 and 2026 comprises 13,815 individuals and 1,372 occurrence records from a wide range of habitats and sampling methods.

The checklist includes 129 species in four families: Aeolothripidae, Melanthripidae, Thripidae and Phlaeothripidae. In comparison, 61 species can be reliably documented from historical sources. Of these, 50 were confirmed by recent records, whereas eleven have not yet been rediscovered in the material examined. A further 68 species are known only from recent records.

Sampling intensity varied markedly among districts and independent cities and was strongly positively correlated with the number of recorded species (Spearman’s ρ = 0.990, p < 0.001). Several regions are now comparatively well surveyed, whereas others remain poorly sampled. The checklist therefore provides an updated basis for future faunistic studies and a more comprehensive picture of the Thysanoptera fauna of Thuringia.

Thrips are important pests of crops in commercial agriculture. In recent years, the increasing restrictions on the use of pesticide active substances in the European Union have contributed to growing resistance to the active substances that remain available. Another major challenge is the global movement of plant material, as plant health inspections cannot completely prevent the introduction of exotic thrips species into the EU.

Consequently, biological control and the development of new technologies are becoming essential for the successful management of thrips. In greenhouse crops, thrips occur primarily on strawberries, cucumbers, peppers, and ornamental plants, where integrated thrips management systems are among the most advanced.

In addition to conventional monitoring using sticky traps, automated monitoring systems such as TRAP-EYE are gradually being introduced. Nevertheless, experienced personnel remain indispensable for decision-making in crop protection. They need a thorough understanding of pest biology and crop production technology in order to plan effective and economically viable pest management interventions.

In practice, so-called “soft chemicals” are increasingly being combined with biological control systems to manage pest hotspots. Biological control programmes may involve combinations of different predator species, selected according to the crop and prevailing environmental conditions, particularly humidity and temperature.

In greenhouse production, banker plants are also being successfully used. These plants provide favourable conditions for the establishment and development of populations of biological control agents.

Thrips management is therefore undergoing substantial changes, driven by the need to respond effectively to the demands of modern agriculture and increasingly stringent consumer expectations.

Expanding known geographic ranges while resolving intraspecific morphological variation is essential for accurate pest identification and biodiversity assessment. Here, we present the first records of the Neoheegeria gigantea (Priesner, 1934) from Georgia and Azerbaijan, significantly extending its known distribution northward into the Caucasus. Although all Caucasian specimens conform to the established diagnostic qualitative key for N. gigantea, multivariate analysis of 22 quantitative morphometric traits reveals substantial geographic differentiation compared to specimens from North Africa and the Middle East. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated distinct morphospaces with minimal overlap, and PERMANOVA confirmed a highly significant geographic effect on overall multivariate morphology (F = 47.90, R² = 0.360, p = 0.001), independent of multivariate dispersion (p = 0.15). Supervised classification via K-means clustering and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) successfully discriminated regional populations with >94% classification accuracy. Size-corrected Mosimann shape variables remained statistically significant, proving that this divergence is driven by fundamental changes in body proportions rather than simple overall body size scaling. Environmental modeling indicated that geographic latitude and annual solar radiation correlate strongly with this morphometric split, whereas temperature and precipitation variables contributed less explanatory power. Ecologically, specimens from both regions exhibited a strict family-level association with holoparasitic host plants in Orobanchaceae, including the first documentation of the genus Phelypaea as a host taxon. While current qualitative morphology retains these populations under N. gigantea, the structural magnitude of shape divergence suggests potential cryptic speciation, emphasizing the critical need for freshly collected topotypic DNA to resolve the evolutionary status of this lineage.

Peatland ecosystems are highly sensitive biological habitats shaped by steep hydro-chemical gradients, yet non-traditional invertebrate bioindicators remain underutilized in peatland monitoring. In this study, we evaluated the utility of thrips (Thysanoptera) assemblages as ecological proxies for peatland habitat differentiation and water chemistry variations in the Orava region (N Slovakia). Standardized sweep-net sampling across eight study sites yielded 3,294 individuals belonging to 54 species. Ordination and multivariate testing confirmed that spatial community turnover is primarily governed by macro-habitat type (PERMANOVA), with water pH operating as a critical environmental filter. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) mapped a distinct transition in thrips assemblage structure along the bog-to-fen continuum. Species richness and Shannon index exhibited a strong positive correlation with increasing pH, reaching maximum values in nutrient-rich fens and remaining lowest in strongly acidic bogs. Furthermore, indicator species analysis (IndVal) highlighted 11 specialist thrips species with high habitat fidelity, demonstrating their potential as diagnostic bioindicators. These findings underscore that thrips assemblages closely track environmental gradients in peatlands, providing a cost-effective, high-resolution tool for habitat classification and ecological health assessment in vulnerable wetland ecosystems.

Peatlands, as rare biotopes with specific conditions, possess a unique fauna and flora. The fauna of Thysanoptera in peatlands in Slovakia has not yet been systematically studied, and therefore the main purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the thrips diversity in peatlands of Horná Orava located in the northern region of Slovakia. Thrips were collected using the method of vegetation sweeping at eight study sites in the Horná Orava Protected Landscape Area from May to October 2024. A total of 3,593 individuals were collected, and determined into 54 species. Occurrence of Thrips menyanthidis Bagnall, 1923 was recorded, which is a species listed in newly proposed red list of endangered invertebrates of Slovakia. Four species associated with wetland habitats – Frankliniella tristis Priesner 1920, Iridothrips (syn. Pelikanothrips) kratochvili (Pelikán, 1947), Thrips klapaleki Uzel 1895, Tmetothrips subapterus (Haliday, 1836) – were recorded in the Slovakia for the first time.

Landfills are commonly perceived as heavily disturbed and biologically impoverished environments. Nevertheless, their heterogeneous structure, comprising active disposal sectors, reclaimed areas, technical infrastructures, ruderal vegetation, and remnants of semi-natural habitats, creates a diverse environmental mosaic that may support surprisingly rich communities of organisms. Such anthropogenic habitats represent unique systems in which different stages of succession, disturbance intensity, and habitat conditions coexist within a relatively small area, offering opportunities for the establishment of a wide spectrum of species. In 2021, thrips (Thysanoptera) were surveyed at nine sites located within and around a municipal landfill in Zohor, western Slovakia. The sampling sites represented habitats of contrasting character, including active landfill sectors receiving municipal and hazardous waste, reclaimed landfill areas, and two control sites situated inside and outside the landfill complex. A total of 2,516 individuals belonging to 54 species were recorded. Three species were documented for the first time in Slovakia: Bolothrips cingulatus (Karny, 1916), Holothrips schaubergeri (Priesner, 1920), and Frankliniella tristis Priesner, 1920. The assemblages were dominated by typical grass-associated species, particularly Aptinothrips rufus and Chirothrips manicatus. Preliminary analyses revealed substantial differences among habitat types. Active landfill sites exhibited the lowest values of Shannon diversity (H' = 1.56-1.80) and evenness (J = 0.59-0.67), likely reflecting the effects of continuous disturbance and unstable environmental conditions. In contrast, reclaimed landfill sectors and control habitats supported more diverse and balanced communities, with Shannon diversity reaching H' = 2.60 and evenness up to J = 0.84. These findings suggest that vegetation succession and habitat stabilization following reclamation facilitate the development of relatively stable thrips assemblages. Our results demonstrate that landfill ecosystems may harbour unexpectedly high Thysanoptera diversity, including rare and previously unrecorded species. The pronounced differences between active and reclaimed sectors highlight the importance of habitat heterogeneity and successional processes in shaping community structure. 

Urban green roofs are increasingly recognized as novel habitats capable of supporting diverse arthropod communities, yet their value for thrips (Thysanoptera) remains poorly understood. We characterized the thrips assemblage of a multi-habitat green roof on a shopping centre and bus station building in Bratislava (SW Slovakia), sampled across the 2023 vegetation season using sweep-netting, pitfall trapping, and soil sieving. A total of 404 specimens were collected, of which 376 adults were identified to 18 species. The assemblage was strongly dominated by four species — Thrips atratus, Odontothrips loti, Aeolothrips intermedius, and Haplothrips leucanthemi — which together accounted for over 85% of individuals. Most species were floricolous and phytophagous, though foliar and graminicolous taxa were also present, alongside a facultatively predatory species. Species richness and composition differed markedly among the three surveyed roof habitats, with the sun-exposed, deeper-substrate meadow-type roof supporting the highest diversity, while the shallow-substrate Sedum roof supported very few species. The presence of a wing-reduced, ground-associated species recorded only in soil samples, together with evidence of local larval development in one species, suggests that green roofs can serve not merely as transient stepping-stones but as habitats allowing local persistence and reproduction of at least some thrips. These findings highlight the potential of structurally heterogeneous green roofs to support taxonomically and functionally diverse thrips assemblages in urban landscapes, and underscore the value of such infrastructure for urban insect biodiversity.

Roadside verges represent important semi-natural habitats within intensively managed agricultural landscapes. Their ecological value, however, depends on the effectiveness of restoration and subsequent management practices. This study evaluated the potential of thrips assemblages as bioindicators of habitat restoration and mowing management in roadside verges of the Nitra West-Selenec highway interchange, Slovakia. The research was conducted on four study plots differing in restoration status, mowing intensity, and degree of isolation within the transport infrastructure. Thrips were sampled by sweep-netting between May and July 2023, and community responses were analysed using generalized linear models (GLMs) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS).

A total of 662 individuals belonging to 29 species were recorded. The assemblages were dominated by Haplothrips leucanthemi, followed by Tenothrips frici, Haplothrips statices, Aeolothrips intermedius, and Frankliniella intonsa. The highest species richness, diversity, and evenness were observed on a restored, non-isolated plot managed by low-intensity mowing, whereas non-restored plots subjected to intensive mowing exhibited lower diversity and stronger dominance by a few species. GLM analyses identified temperature as the most important environmental factor influencing species richness (p < 0.001), diversity indices (p < 0.001), and community evenness (p < 0.05). Thrips abundance was significantly affected by habitat isolation (p < 0.01) and by the interaction between temperature and management regime (p < 0.05). Isolated habitat patches surrounded by roads supported fewer individuals than non-isolated plots. NMDS revealed that community composition was significantly associated especially with plot area (p < 0.01), distance from the highway (p < 0.01), and ambient temperature (p < 0.01).

The results demonstrate that several thrips species exhibit distinct habitat preferences, highlighting their suitability as indicators of environmental conditions and habitat quality. Restoration combined with reduced mowing intensity and species-rich vegetation can enhance insect diversity and improve the ecological functioning of roadside habitats.

The banded greenhouse thrips, Hercinothrips femoralis, is an increasingly important pest of ornamental plants in greenhouses, households, and other indoor environments. As integrated pest management (IPM) strategies seek environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides, plant-derived essential oils have attracted considerable attention due to their low environmental persistence and broad spectrum of biological activity. However, little information is available on how insecticidal efficacy varies among oils obtained from different plant parts. This study evaluated the lethal effects of essential oils derived from seeds and leaves of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and neem (Azadirachta indica) against adults of H. femoralis. A commercial neem-based biopesticide (NeemAzal®) was included for comparison.

A total of 1,650 adult thrips were exposed to nine concentrations of each treatment using a container-test bioassay. Mortality was assessed after 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes and after 24 hours. Dose-response relationships were analysed using probit regression and expressed as LD₅₀ values.

All tested products showed significant insecticidal activity. Coriander seed oil proved to be the fastest-acting treatment, achieving complete mortality at 50% concentration within 15 minutes and exhibiting the lowest LD₅₀ after 60 minutes (1.50 µL L⁻¹). Dill leaf oil also showed strong rapid toxicity (LD₅₀ = 2.88 µL L⁻¹ after 60 min), whereas dill seed oil was consistently the least effective treatment. Neem-derived products displayed a slower but pronounced delayed effect. After 24 hours, NeemAzal® was the most effective treatment (LD₅₀ = 0.42 µL L⁻¹), followed by coriander seed oil (0.52 µL L⁻¹) and neem leaf extract (1.24 µL L⁻¹). Oils obtained from different plant parts frequently differed substantially in efficacy, highlighting the importance of source tissue selection when developing botanical insecticides.

Our results identify coriander seed oil, dill leaf oil, and neem-based products as promising candidates for sustainable management of H. femoralis and demonstrate that plant-part origin is one of a key factor influencing biopesticide performance.