Host specificity studies on Gynaikothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) associated with leaf galls of cultivated Ficus (Rosales: Moraceae) trees

Authors

  • Desley J. Tree Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Laurence A. Mound Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO
  • Ashley R. Field Queensland Herbarium, James Cook University

Abstract

Host specificity tests on Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmerman) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) have shown that under experimental conditions, G. ficorum will induce leaf galls on both Ficus benjamina L. and Ficus microcarpa L. f. (Rosales: Moraceae), but G. uzeli will induce galls only on F. benjamina. A further interesting aspect of the results is that gall induction by G. uzeli on F. benjamina appears to have been suppressed in the presence of F. microcarpa plants in the same cage. Liothrips takahashii (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), an inquiline in the galls of these Gynaikothrips, is reported for the first time from Australia, mainland China, Malaysia, Costa Rica, and western USA.

 

Resumen

Las pruebas de especificidad de plantas hospederas de Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) y Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmerman) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) han demostrado que en condiciones experimentales, G. ficorum inducirá agallas tanto en Ficus benjamina L. y Ficus microcarpa L. f. (Rosales: Moraceae), pero G. uzeli inducirá agallas solamente en F. benjamina. Un aspecto adicional interesante de los resultados es que la inducción de agallas por parte de G. uzeli en F. benjamina parece haber sido suprimida por la presencia de plantas de F. microcarpa en la misma jaula. Se reporta por primera vez Liothrips takahashii (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), un inquilino en las agallas de estos Gynaikothrips, de Australia, China continental, Malasia, Costa Rica, y el oeste de EE.UU.

 

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Issue

Vol. 98, No. 3 (September 2015)

Section

Research Papers

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