My. Steiner et S. Goodwin, METHODS FOR COLLECTING AND REARING THRIPS (THYSANOPTERA) AND THEIR NATURAL ENEMIES, Australian journal of entomology, 37, 1998, pp. 101-106
Potential predators and parasitoids of thrips were collected as part o
f a project to evaluate and develop Australian native arthropod specie
s as biological control agents against western flower thrips, Franklin
iella occidentalis (Pergande). Eleven species of phytoseiid mites, the
eulophid Ceranisus menes (Walker), and various anthocorid bugs were r
eared in the laboratory, together with F. occidentalis and the tomato
thrips, Frankliniella schultzei Trybom. Methods for collecting, proces
sing, and small-scale rearing of both thrips and natural enemies are d
escribed. Laboratory and field-rearing units were designed that are si
mple to construct, compact, escape-proof, adaptable to a range of pred
ators and parasitoids, and allow experimentation with various foodstuf
fs.