Western flower thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus
Western Flower Thrips (WFT) is primarily a pest as a vector of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) in tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes and capsicum. WFT can also cause direct damage by feeding on leaves and fruit, particularly affecting the appearance of capsicums, cucumbers and beans. WFT is more of a problem that other thrips species because it develops resistance to pesticides easily. This Primefact covers the following topics: WFT description and hosts; TSWV description and hosts; How do thrips acquire TSWV?; How do thrips transmit TSWV?; Management options (Integrated Pest Management); where to submit samples for identification; and additional sources of information.