Review of predatory mites as biocontrol agents against thrips in China

Abstract

Thrips are one of the most destructive pests of vegetables, fruits, and ornamental crops worldwide (Wan et al., 2020; Davari et al., 2021). The more severe species include Frankliniella occidentalis, Frankliniella intonsa, Thrips tabaci, Thrips flavidulus, Pseudodendrotrips mori, Scirtothrips dorsalis, and Megalurothrips usitatus (You et al., 2007; Zheng et al., 2007; Saito et al., 2022). Many thrips have developed resistance to pesticides. For example, Frankliniella occidentalis developed different degrees of resistance to organochlorine, organophosphorus, carbamate, and pyrethroid insecticides and environmentally friendly insecticides (Broadbent and Pree, 1997; Sun et al., 2022). Tobacco thrips have developed resistance to pyrethroid and organic phosphate insecticides (Krob et al., 2022). Soybean thrips also developed varying degrees of resistance to emamectin benzoate, beta-cypermethrin, and imidacloprid (Tang et al., 2016). Therefore, searching and screening effective natural enemies for biological control of thrips is urgent.