Host plant influences life cycle, reproduction, feeding, and vector competence of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a vector of tospoviruses

Thrips palmi, an important pest of vegetables and ornamentals, transmits several tospoviruses. Effect of tospovirus on host plant and vector is well studied. Little is known about the host-mediated alteration in biological traits of T. palmi. The present study reports the effect of different hosts viz. brinjal, cowpea, cotton, cucumber, sweet pepper, and tobacco on development, survival, fecundity, feeding, and vector competence of T. palmi. A higher net reproductive rate and lowest generation time were recorded in brinjal and cotton. Cowpea, tobacco, and sweet pepper reduced reproductive potential of T. palmi. Exposure to brinjal caused greater feeding by T. palmi, whereas it was least on sweet pepper. The vector competence of T. palmi was highest on cucumber and cowpea, however, tospovirus transmission was inhibited in brinjal and cotton. The alteration in biology could be due to the biochemical and morpho-physiological traits of hosts interfering with essential physiological processes of T. palmi.

Automated summary

The study found that eggplant and cotton have a positive impact on the development and reproduction of Thrips palmi, while cowpea, tobacco, and sweet pepper reduce its reproductive potential. The effects of different host plants lead to changes in biological traits such as feeding behavior and vector competence of T. palmi.