Abstract
Ficus nota (Blanco) Merr. (Moraceae), locally known as “tibig” or “tabog,” is endemic to the Philippines. This species of fig is well known for its medicinal importance and is one of the high value trees planted and managed by rural households in the province of Leyte. The study aimed to establish the identity of thrips or “kulisipsip” associated with F. nota in the campus of the Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte. Thrips samples were collected from 20 leaves selected randomly from “Tibig” once a month from December 2018 to March 2019. Specimens were sorted under a stereomicroscope, cleared, mounted on slides using Canada balsam, and examined under a light microscope. The giant fig thrips, Gigantothrips elegans Zimmermann, was the only species found. Thrips feeding damage on the leaves was severe. Larvae, female and male thrips fed on the underside of the leaves and were found aggregated. This result implies that the G. elegans population reproduced sexually and the aggregation suggests that pheromones were involved. Since this species of thrips is colonial or gregarious, aggregation pheromone-baited traps could be developed by future researchers to manage this insect pest.
Published Version
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