A key for the identification of second instar larvae of some common thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).: Mendoza, Argentina

There are few published identification key to thrips larvae. Nevertheless the subject is of basic interest for detection of the host range of thrips. Some species are able to transmit Tospovirus, causal agents of spotted wilt and other diseases. The insect acquires the virus only as larvae. A key to larvae is a useful tool for epide-miological studies. The identification of larvae is difficult because they have fewer distinctive characters than adults, also individuals are constantly growing. The larvae of the species included in this work were obtained from field on several weeds and some cultivated and native plants. Also, they were reared on bean pods or pollen and diluted honey from identified adults. In this paper a brief description of second instar larvae of Frankliniella australis Morgan, F. gemina Bagnall, F occidentalis Pergande, F. schultzei Trybom, F. valdiviana Sakimura et O'Neil and Thrips tabaci Lindeman and a key to separate them, are presented.