A Review of Franklinothrips vespiformis (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae): Life History, Distribution, and Prospects as a Biological Control Agent

• Published in: Insects (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 13; no. 2; p. 108
• Main Authors: Hussain, Mubasher, Wang, Zhaohong, Arthurs, Steven P, Gao, Jing, Ye, Fengxian, Chen, Lingling, Mao, Runqian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 18.01.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Abdomen; ant-mimic; Biological control; Control programs; demography; Eggs; Females; Franklinothrips; Franklinothrips vespiformis; habitat; Host plants; Insects; Life history; Literature reviews; Males; Mimicry; Mites; Morphology; Natural enemies; Pest control; Pests; predatory thrips; Prey; prey specificity; Review; Species; Sperm; Thysanoptera; Tropical environments; Central America; United States > US; Europe; Japan; Africa; California; Thailand; New Caledonia; Oceania; India; China; Taiwan; Brazil; Mexico; Australia; ant-mimic; Franklinothrips; predatory thrips; habitat; prey specificity; demography
• ISSN: 2075-4450; 2075-4450
• DOI: 10.3390/insects13020108

Predatory species comprise a small but important and often overlooked component of the Thysanoptera. A case in point, the ant-mimicking are widely distributed in the tropics and are considered important generalist natural enemies for thrips and some other small arthropod prey. present an addition to biocontrol applications, i.e., greenhouse or commercial application for certain target pests and situations. Current knowledge, including distribution, biological features, life history pa rameters, prey specificity, host plant associations and lass production is yet insufficient to decide to what extent could contribute for biological control programs. In this review, we summarized the geographical background, morphology, and prey associations, with a focus on , the most widely distributed species of predatory thrips. This literature review serves as the basis for future research into the use of as biocontrol agents for economically significant insect and mite pests in China and elsewhere.