Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (GARJAS) ISSN: 2315-5094

March 2015 Vol. 4(3): pp. 162-165

Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

 

Full Length Research Paper

Typhlodromalus spinosus as a potentially new biological control agent for Western Flower Thrips

Edward Mwangi, Anne Kiarie and Henry Wainwright*

 

The Real IPM Company (K) Ltd, P O Box 4001, Madaraka, Thika 01002, Kenya.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: wainwright@realipm.com 

Accepted 17 March, 2015

 

Abstract

Integrated pest management is increasingly being adopted in the horticultural sector in Kenya.  As part of IPM there is need to have a range of predators for the control of pests like Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).  Due to the concern about import and release of exotic natural enemies and the increased evaluation and registration demands, there is a trend nowadays to first look for indigenous natural enemies and Kenya is no different.  Typhlodromalus spinosus (Meyer and Rodrigues) was collected from the wild in Kenya and screened as a potential biological control againstTetranychus urticae (Koch) and Western Flower Thrips (F. occidentalis).  Laboratory feeding trials showed that T. spinosus neither fed, multiplied nor reduced the numbers of T. urticae.  However under laboratory trials and in field grown French beans, T. spinosus showed evidence of both feeding, multiplication and reduction of WFT numbers.  This is the first report of T. spinosus as a potential biological control agent for WFT.

Keywords:  Western flower thrips, biological control, Typhlodromalus spinosus.

 

 

 

 

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