Temperature, development and establishment potential of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera : Thripidae) in the United Kingdom

In order to manage the risks posed to domestic crop production by quarantin e pests such as Thrips palmi, their potential to establish in a new environ ment must be assessed. The thermal requirements for development of T. palmi were determined and compared with UK temperatures, to estimate its potenti al for development under UK conditions. Temperature and rate of development of T. palmi from egg to adult were linearly related between 15 and 30 degr ees C, allowing calculation of an overall threshold of 10.1 degrees C, and a sum of effective temperatures of 194 degree-days. In the UK, development of T. palmi would be possible outdoors during the summer when a maximum of up to four or five generations could occur. Comparison of these data with t hose of the recently established and biologically similar pest, Frankliniel la occidentalis, shows that establishment of T. palmi in the UK is unlikely to be limited by an inability to complete the life cycle during the favour able season.