Scirtothrips dorsalis

Hood, 1919

chilli thrips, yellow tea thrips, castor thrips, Assam thrips, strawberry thrips

is a highly thrips native to South or Southeast Asia that has achieved global distribution over the past two decades. It is a significant agricultural pest with an exceptionally broad range spanning vegetables, ornamentals, and fruit crops. The species is characterized by rapid growth, with development from to completed in approximately two weeks under optimal conditions. Its feeding causes distinctive damage including leaf curling, brown scarring along leaf , and bronzing to blackening of fruits and flowers. The species has been implicated in transmission of tospoviruses, though its as a remains debated. Genetic evidence indicates S. dorsalis represents a of morphologically similar but genetically distinct lineages.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Scirtothrips dorsalis: /ˌskɪrtoʊˈθrɪps dɔːrˈsælɪs/

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Distribution

Native to South or Southeast Asia (India, Southeast Asia). Established in North America (Florida since 2005, Texas, Hawaii), the Caribbean (St. Vincent, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago), Central and South America (Suriname, Venezuela), Africa (Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya), and Oceania (Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands). Rapidly expanding range through international trade.

Diet

Phytophagous, feeding preferentially on new growth and young plant tissue.

Host Associations

Capsicum spp. (pepper, chilli) - primary pest Historical association; 'Murda ' on chilli
Solanum melongena (eggplant) - pest
Mangifera indica (mango) - pest
Citrus spp. - pest Includes orange, mandarin
Fragaria × ananassa (strawberry) - pest Emerging significant in Florida
Vitis spp. (grape) - pest
Gossypium spp. (cotton) - pest
Camellia sinensis (tea) - pest Known as 'yellow tea thrips'
Arachis hypogaea (peanut/groundnut) - pest
Vaccinium spp. (blueberry) - pest Emerging in southeastern US
Rosa spp. (rose) - pest Significant ornamental
Ricinus communis (castor) - speculated original Hypothesized ancestral before agricultural expansion
Vitis rotundifolia (muscadine grape) - reproductive wild Non-crop season in Florida woodland borders
Prunus caroliniana (Laurel cherry) - reproductive wild
Celtis laevigata (sugarberry) - reproductive wild
Bidens pilosa (Spanish needles) - reproductive wild
Ludwigia peruviana (Peruvian water primrose) - reproductive wild
Ambrosia spp. (ragweed) - reproductive wild
Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum) - reproductive wild
Quercus nigra (water oak) - reproductive wild

Life Cycle

Holometabolous-like development with two larval instars followed by two 'false' pupal stages (prepupal and pupal). inserted into plant tissue, primarily in young leaves and buds; gestation 1-3 weeks depending on temperature. Larval stages last 6-7 days total. Prepupal period approximately 24 hours; pupal period 2-3 days to one week. occurs in soil, leaf litter, or humid crevices low on the plant. Development from egg to completed in 14-20 days under optimal conditions (approximately 25°C). Multiple per year in favorable climates.

Behavior

Exhibits strong preference for feeding on new growth and young plants, aggregating on terminal shoots. Nymphs migrate from older leaves to newer growth after hatching. and nymphs feed in groups. Females demonstrate oviposition site selection, preferring young leaves and buds but expanding to mature leaves as increases. Non-diapausing adults reported to overwinter in soil or apical buds in temperate regions when temperatures fall below critical threshold. occurs through and passive transport via plant material.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest causing direct feeding damage and potential virus transmission. Implicated as of tospoviruses including tomato spotted wilt virus, yellow spot virus of groundnut, and tobacco streak virus, though transmission is disputed. May function as prey for in natural . can alter plant structure in invaded .

Human Relevance

Major economic pest of global significance affecting diverse crop systems. Feeding damage reduces marketable yield and quality; severe can kill stressed plants. Management is complicated by rapid development of resistance. Control relies on (spinosyn, abamectin), insecticidal soaps, , fungi ( bassiana, Metarhizium spp.), and emerging approaches. Subject of and efforts in newly invaded regions. Research focus for development in specialty crops.

Similar Taxa

Scirtothrips citri (citrus thrips)Congeneric with similar associations and feeding damage on citrus; distinguished by antennal sense cone structure and abdominal setal patterns
Thrips palmi (melon thrips)Similar pest thrips with broad range and rapid resistance development; distinguished by body coloration and antennal
Scirtothrips perseae (avocado thrips)Congeneric pest of similar size and appearance; distinguished by specificity and subtle morphological differences in setal arrangements