Studies of thrips migratory flights in Israel

Ben-Yakir, D. and Chen, M. (2008) Studies of thrips migratory flights in Israel. Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica, 43 (2). pp. 243-248. ISSN 0238-1249

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Abstract

Blue sticky traps on 3.0 m high poles were used to determine the characteristics of Thrips tabaci and Frankliniella occidentalis migratory flight in Israel from 2003 to 2007. In an open area, both thrips species were caught from March to November. The dominant species was T. tabaci except during the spring. About 70% of the thrips were caught below 1.0 m above ground. Trapping height appears to reflect thrips’ concentration gradient in the air because it was not affected by setting up the poles over a sticky surface. From April to September the westerly sea breezes usually exceed 10 km/h from late morning to twilight time. As a result, about 85% and 10% of the thrips were caught in the morning and at dusk, respectively. When we used similar traps mounted on wind vanes, at 1.0 m above ground 70% of the thrips were caught on the leeward side. Thus, it appears that thrips fly mainly upwind during their migration. Indeed, while most prevailing winds are from the west, most thrips were caught on the eastern side of the poles (40–50%) and the fewest on the western side (10–20%). This information may be used to focus monitoring and control of these thrips in time and space.

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