Incidence and diversity of thrips and its associated natural enemies in medicinal plants
Suman Sanjta and Usha Chauhan
Eight species of thrips were identified from three medicinal plants viz. chandrashoor, patchouli and flax. The Phytophagous species were Scirtothrips dorsalis, Bathrips melanicornis, Thrips carthami, T. flavus, T. kodaikanalensis, Anaphothrips sudanensis and Haplothrips sp. There was only one predatory species, Aeolothrips sp. Out of these Scirtothrips dorsalis and Thrips carthami dominated all the species by contributing 27.45 and 13.73 per cent respectively. The former species has been reported as potential vector of virus. One species of natural enemy i.e. Coccinella septempunctata was also recorded on these medicinal plants. This is the first comprehensive report on the thrips and their natural enemies from this region which will help to update the list of present species associated with these medicinal plants.
Suman Sanjta, Usha Chauhan. Incidence and diversity of thrips and its associated natural enemies in medicinal plants. J Med Plants Stud 2018;6(1):01-02.