Flower stage and host plant preference by floral herbivore thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Frankliniella) in a Brazilian savanna

Abstract

This study shows that three Frankliniella (Thysanoptera) species have species-specific associations with their hosts: F. varipes–Faramea cyanea (Rubiaceae); F. musaeperda–Hancornia speciosa (Apocynaceae) and F. fulvipes–Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae). All thrips species had a marked preference for flowers in anthesis, as in this stage flowers provide food and protection from environment. Frankliniella musaeperda and F. varipes populations were female-biased while F. fulvipes was male-biased. Since many species of Frankliniella have economic importance, studies on the ecology of these species are essential, given the possibility of invasion of agricultural systems in the future.

Keywords:

• Frankliniella
• Faramea cyanea
• Hancornia speciosa
• Solanum lycocarpum
• plant–animal interactions
• Brazil

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Dr. L. Mound, the staff of the Clube de Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia where the study was carried out, Dr. P. E. Oliveira, Sr. José Xavier and Prof. J. Bagnall. We also thank Dr. Anne Zillikens for suggestions and corrections in the original manuscript. This study was funded by CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), Capes (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) and Fapemig (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais).