Host Range of Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), with Special Reference to Leucaena glauca

Abstract

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), a known vector of tomato spotted wilt virus, was found to be associated with 48 plant species growing within the Kula vegetable-growing region on the island of Maui, Hawaii. High populations of F. occidentalis were found within the blossoms of three woody legume species, Leucaena glauca (L.) Benth., Prosopis pallida (Humb. & Bonpl ex Willd.), and Acacia decurrens Willd., and on crisphead lettuce, romaine, tomato, and cabbage. F. occidentalis also occurred on 12 common weed species of lettuce fields. Thrips populations associated with L. glauca were greatest at low elevations (200–450 m) in June and at higher elevations (500–640 m) in July.