Eastern Flower Thrips
Frankliniella tritici
This record describes Frankliniella tritici (species). Recorded family: Thripidae. Recorded order: Thysanoptera.
Identification and Appearance
one of a group of Frankliniella spp. in which the pedicel of antennal segment III is swollen, or enlarged in some way - TOC see UF Extension factsheet for microscopic details for identification Adults from se and coastal US (Florida, Georgia), are usually yellow, but adults from populations further north west are often dark brown. The possibility of a cline, or of a pair of sibling species, requires further investigation. ( F. varicorne Bagnall is an available name for these darker populations.) - TOC
Wikipedia reference for Frankliniella tritici: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankliniella_tritici.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Thysanoptera (Thrips)
- Family
- Thripidae
- Subfamily
- Thripinae
- Genus
- Frankliniella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
widely dist. across NA - Map TOC
Diet and Behavior
Diet: asso. w/ a wide range of species of flowering plants (TOC) and woody plants ( 3 ) Feeds on flower and flower buds of hawthorn, sometimes preventing them from opening. ( 4 )
Life History
primarily a flower feeder, so most damage is seen on the flower or fruit - UF Extension on flowers of Common Milkweed ( A. syriaca ) and on Mead's Milkweed ( A. meadii ). they mostly have the potential to to damage young milkweed seedlings causing curl and distortion of the leaves ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: tritici (L). 'wheat'
About Thrips: the wider group
Order-level background for Thysanoptera, the group containing Frankliniella tritici. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Thysanoptera (thrips) includes ~6,000 described species. Thrips are among the smallest flying insects - most are just 1-2mm long. Despite their tiny size, they are major agricultural pests worldwide.
Ecological role of the group
Some thrip species are actually beneficial predators that feed on pest mites and other small arthropods. Thrips are also pollinators of some tropical plants, including certain palm species.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is considered one of the top 10 most economically important pest insects globally, causing billions in crop damage through direct feeding and transmission of tospoviruses like tomato spotted wilt virus.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, agricultural entomology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Eastern Flower Thrips (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Eastern Flower Thrips
What is Eastern Flower Thrips?
Eastern Flower Thrips (Frankliniella tritici) is a species in the family Thripidae, within the order Thysanoptera.
How big is Eastern Flower Thrips?
1.5 mm
How do you identify Eastern Flower Thrips?
one of a group of Frankliniella spp. in which the pedicel of antennal segment III is swollen, or enlarged in some way - TOC see UF Extension factsheet for microscopic details for identification Adults from se and coastal US (Florida, Georgia), are usually yellow, but adults from populations further north west are often dark brown. The possibility of a cline, or of a pair of sibling species, requires further investigation. ( F. varicorne Bagnall is an available name for these darker populations.) - TOC
Where is Eastern Flower Thrips found?
Range: widely dist. across NA - Map TOC
What does Eastern Flower Thrips eat?
The diet of the Eastern Flower Thrips includes asso. w/ a wide range of species of flowering plants (TOC) and woody plants ( 3 ) Feeds on flower and flower buds of hawthorn, sometimes preventing them from opening. ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Eastern Flower Thrips?
primarily a flower feeder, so most damage is seen on the flower or fruit - UF Extension on flowers of Common Milkweed ( A. syriaca ) and on Mead's Milkweed ( A. meadii ). they mostly have the potential to to damage young milkweed seedlings causing curl and distortion of the leaves ( 5 )