METHODS FOR COLLECTING AND REARING THRIPS (THYSANOPTERA) AND THEIR NATURAL ENEMIES

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.