EFFECTS OF FOOD TYPE ON WING FORM DETERMINATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN FEMALE THRIPS-NIGROPILOSUS UZEL (THYSANOPTERA, THRIPIDAE)

Thrips nigropilosus were reared individually from hatching to adult eclosion on leaf pieces of chrysanthemum, pumpkin, eggplant and broad bean under 2 photothermal conditions: 20-degrees-C and 15L: 9D, and 18-degrees-C and 10L: 14D. Wing form of female adults was examined to clarify the effect of food type on wing form determination. Mortality of both sexes and developmental period of females from hatching to adult eclosion, and head width and body length of female adults were also examined to assess suitability of (food) types tested for thrips. Irrespective of plants, macropterous and intermediate forms occurred in females under 20-degrees-C and 15L: 9D, and brachypterous and intermediate forms occurred in females under 18-degrees-C and 10L: 14D. Percentages of each wing form were not significantly different among females on different plants under each photothermal condition. Mortality was the highest and developmental period tended to be longer on broad bean than on the other 3 plants. Mortality tended to be lower on chrysanthemum than on pumpkin and eggplant. Food type did not affect head width and body length of female adults.