Thrips Parvispinus

Source- This post on Thrips Parvispinus has been created based on the article “Invasive thrips caused 80% damage to chilli crops, Rajya Sabha told” published in “The New Indian Express” on 5 February 2024.

Why in the news?

Thrips Parvispinus, an invasive pest species, might have replaced the native chilli thrips known as scirtothrips dorsalis in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

About Thrips Parvispinus

Nature– It is an invasive pest species.

Origin– This thrips originates 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.

Spread– The last two decades have witnessed a drastic extension in the geographic distribution. It is now found in France, Greece, Hawaii, Mauritius, Reunion, Spain, Tanzania and the Netherlands, besides India.

In India– This species was first reported on Papaya from Bengaluru in 2015.

Infestation– Adults mainly colonize on flowers and underside of leaves whereas larvae suck sap from under surface.

Impact– Infestation causes heavy flower drop and thereby reduces fruit production. Its infestation increases during heavy rainfall of North East monsoon. This has caused 40-80% damage to chilli crop in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Preventive measures

1) Promotion of cultural practices like deep summer ploughing.

2) Intercropping, clean cultivation and balanced use of fertilisers.

3) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies for pest control.

NOTE- Thrips– These are important group of sucking pests which cause significant economic losses in several horticultural crops.

UPSC Syllabus-Environment.