Explanation – Thrips parvispinus is a harmful insect pest known to inflict significant damage on various crops, including chili, papaya, beans, eggplant, and more. They feed on plant sap, leading to stunted growth, leaf curling, and yield losses. It originated from Southeast Asia and was first found in Florida in 2020. It is a polyphagous pest that causes damage to vegetable, ornamental, and fruit crops. It is now found in France, Greece, Hawaii, Mauritius, Reunion, Spain, Tanzania and the Netherlands, besides India. This species was first reported on Papaya from Bengaluru in 2015.

Source: Forum IAS