EXPERIMENTAL ARENA FOR CONFINING THRIPS AND OTHER SMALL ARTHROPODS INTHE LABORATORY

A new experimental arena to confine western flower thrips, Frankliniel la occidentalis (Pergande) and other small arthropods in order to cond uct laboratory bioassays and behavioral studies is described. Arenas a re constructed from cardboard paper cartons using a clear plastic petr i dish lid and weather stripping to form an insect tight seal. A water pic inserted into the side of the arena is used to maintain plant mat erial within the arena. The configuration of the arenas allows for dir ect visual observation of arthropods on portions of whole plants using a dissection microscope while leaving the arena sealed. The arenas su ccessfully confined western flower thrips adults for 14 d and survival rates in the arenas over 7 d were at levels acceptable for check trea tments in laboratory bioassays.