First records of invasive agricultural pests Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922) and Thrips setosus Moulton, 1928 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Canada

Abstract

Horticultural imports between countries can result in novel introductions of non-native insect species which reside on these plants, particularly in greenhouse scenarios. Here, we document the first Canadian records of Thrips parvispinus Karny, 1922 and Thrips setosus Moulton, 1928 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in southern Ontario greenhouses on Mandevilla Lindley (Apocynaceae) and Hydrangea Linnaeus (Hydrangeaceae), respectively. These species can reduce agricultural yields and cause economic losses from extensive feeding damage on a wide range of fruit and vegetable crops, as well as ornamental plants. While native to Asia, both species have spread throughout Europe and have recently been detected in the United States of America. Morphological identification of the Canadian records was confirmed by sequencing the DNA barcode region of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1). Analysis of all publicly available CO1 haplotypes for both species indicate that the Canadian records are identical to those previously reported form Indonesia and Belgium. To assist in the identification of T. parvispinus and T. setosus, we characterize the adult sexes and distinguish these from similar species