Thrips Management in Agriculture Systems

Thrips are diminutive insects that inflict yield losses across a broad spectrum of horticultural and field crops by feeding on plant tissues and transmitting tospoviruses. Effective management requires an integrated approach combining cultural, biological, chemical and behavioural strategies. Cultural tactics include crop rotation, modification of planting dates and optimisation of canopy structure to discourage thrips colonisation. Host plant resistance exploits natural variation in plant morphology and biochemistry to reduce feeding damage and population growth. Biological control utilises predators, parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi, often within an integrated pest management (IPM) framework that limits reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides. Advances in semiochemical research have yielded aggregation and sex pheromones that can enhance monitoring and mass-trapping, while novel formulations such as photosensitisers and horticultural oils show promise for contact and ingestion control. Molecular techniques, including RNA interference, offer new avenues for specific disruption of thrips physiology. Successful programmes balance cost, environmental impact and resistance management, recognising that local agronomic practices and regulatory frameworks shape sustainable adoption worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have uncovered a neuropeptide-mediated pathway controlling aggregation pheromone production in the western flower thrips. Researchers identified a pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) analogue whose exogenous application stimulated release of volatile attractants in both sexes. Gene silencing of PBAN and associated biosynthetic enzymes via RNA interference markedly reduced pheromone titres, revealing targets for interference in chemical communication. In a foundational exploration of interspecific competition under insecticide pressure, experiments demonstrated that differential susceptibilities to common chemistries could invert competitive hierarchies between two major thrips pests. This work signposted the risk of species shifts in pest complexes and underscored the need for selective agents and rotation schemes that preserve natural enemies and delay resistance evolution.

Thrips Management in Agriculture Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in thrips management in agriculture systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A decision-guided framework combining multiple control tactics to manage pest populations below economic thresholds while minimising environmental impact.

Aggregation pheromone: A chemical signal released by insects to attract conspecifics, used in traps for monitoring or mass-trapping.

RNA interference (RNAi): A molecular technique that silences specific genes by degrading complementary messenger RNA, disrupting targeted physiological processes.

Host plant resistance: The inherent ability of a plant variety to reduce pest development or feeding through morphological or biochemical traits.

References

1. Efficacy of Oil and Photosensitizer against Frankliniella occidentalis in Greenhouse Sweet Pepper. Antibiotics (2023).
2. Exploring Thrips Preference and Resistance in Flowers, Leaves, and Whole Plants of Ten Capsicum Accessions. Plants (2023).
3. A novel physiological function of pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide in production of aggregation pheromone. Scientific Reports (2023).
4. Integrated pest management in western flower thrips: past, present and future. Pest Management Science (2017).
5. Pesticide-mediated interspecific competition between local and invasive thrips pests. Scientific Reports (2017).