Common NameOnion ThripsSeasonalityUndocumented.IdentificationThe body varies around 1.2mm in length and is yellow, except for light brown blotches on the thorax and median parts of the abdominal tergites, which are yellowish-brown to brown to gray. Antennal segment 1 is light brown as are all the remaining antennal segments, except for segments 3 to 5, which have paler bases. The forewings are pale gray. The head is moderate in size. The prothorax is heavily setose, except for small bare areas on either side of the midline, posteriorly. The inner posterior pair of major setae is shorter than the dorsal length of the eye, and along the posterior margin of the prothorax, there are 3 pairs of setae between the major pairs of setae (Stannard 1968). The forewings have 4 to 6 apical bristles on the forevein (Nakahara 1994). Both males and females are macropterous (Stannard 1968). The abdominal pleurotergites have fine microtrichia along the lines of sculpture. There are 3 setae on the each lateral margin of abdominal tergite 2, and abdominal tergite 8 has a complete comb of long setae on the posterior margin. Tergite 9 has 2 campaniform sensilla, one on each side of the tergite. Males also have the comb on tergite 8, and have transversely elongated glandular areas on sternites 3 to 5 (Nakahara 1994).
Scientific NameThrips tabaciCommon Name
Onion Thrips
Habitat
Polyphagous (Nakahara 1994), commonly on onions, and in greenhouses (Stannard 1968).
Seasonality
Undocumented.
Identification
The body varies around 1.2mm in length and is yellow, except for light brown blotches on the thorax and median parts of the abdominal tergites, which are yellowish-brown to brown to gray. Antennal segment 1 is light…
The body varies around 1.2mm in length and is yellow, except for light brown blotches on the thorax and median parts of the abdominal tergites, which are yellowish-brown to brown to gray. Antennal segment 1 is light brown as are all the remaining antennal segments, except for segments 3 to 5, which have paler bases. The forewings are pale gray. The head is moderate in size. The prothorax is heavily setose, except for small bare areas on either side of the midline, posteriorly. The inner posterior pair of major setae is shorter than the dorsal length of the eye, and along the posterior margin of the prothorax, there are 3 pairs of setae between the major pairs of setae (Stannard 1968). The forewings have 4 to 6 apical bristles on the forevein (Nakahara 1994). Both males and females are macropterous (Stannard 1968). The abdominal pleurotergites have fine microtrichia along the lines of sculpture. There are 3 setae on the each lateral margin of abdominal tergite 2, and abdominal tergite 8 has a complete comb of long setae on the posterior margin. Tergite 9 has 2 campaniform sensilla, one on each side of the tergite. Males also have the comb on tergite 8, and have transversely elongated glandular areas on sternites 3 to 5 (Nakahara 1994).
Life History
Most likely introduced to North America from the Mediterranean (Nakahara 1994). This species breeds in flowers and leaves (Moritz et al 2001).
Conservation
Pest of onions and other agricultural crops, vector of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (Nakahara 1994).
Diet Info
Feeds on onions, canola (Stannard 1968), mites and larvae of other thrips (Moritz et al 2001).
Range
Alberta, B.C., Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan (Chiasson 1986), Cosmopolitan (Nakahara 1994).
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Citation
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Page Citation for Thrips tabaci
Page Citation
"Species Details - Thrips tabaci, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3041. Accessed 05 Jan. 2025.
References
AuthorChiasson, H.
TitleSynopsis of the Thysanoptera (Thrips) of Canada.
Publication Date1986
AuthorNakahara, S.
TitleThe genus Thrips Linnaeus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) of the New World.
Publication Date1994
Series TitleUnited States Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin
Volume1822
Pages1-183
AuthorStannard, Lewis J.
TitleThe Thrips, or Thysanoptera, of Illinois
Publication Date1968
Series TitleIllinois Natural History Survey
Volume29
Pages215-552
AuthorMoritz, G., D. Morris, and L. Mound
TitleThripsID: Pest thrips of the world (CD).
Publication Date2001
Specimen Information
There are 274 specimens of this Species.
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274 results plotted on map in 51 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.