Monitoring and Identification of <i>Thrips palmi</i> Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT A brief introduction is given to Thrips palmi , a horticultural pest recently introduced to Australia. Methods developed in the Northern Territory to trap thrips with blue sticky‐board traps and water‐tray traps for monitoring purposes and the techniques used for rapid preparation and identification are described. A brief description of specific characters which may be used to differentiate between T. palmi and four other closely related, economic species found in Australia is provided.