Thrips (Thysanoptera) New to Florida: I. Thripidae: Panchaetothripinae

Division of Plant Industry (DPI) records indicate that about 140 species of thrips have been recorded from Florida, including the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), and the melon thrips, Thrips palmi Kamy (Mead 1982, 1991). Since the introduction of these two species, especially the melon thrips, considerable attention has been given to surveying for these small insects. Recently, twelve species of exotic thrips have been found in Florida for the first time; many of these were also the first reports of these species in the continental U.S. This is the first of a series of circulars which will describe and discuss the importance of these introductions. Two of the more significant imported species, Elixothrips brevisetis (Bagnall) and Retithrips syriacus (Mayet) of the thripid subfamily Panchaetothripinae, are reported on in this circular.

Since thrips are small, individuals may pass unnoticed, but when large numbers are present their damage may be spectacular (Lewis 1973). Unfortunately, light infestations may be overlooked. Exotic thrips may be introduced on any number of imported plants, especially cut flowers and dried material imported by florists, and subtropical and tropical fruits and vegetables (Kim and Wheeler 1991 ), and yet remain undetected until they are widely distributed.