Notes on the Biology and Morphology of a Predatory Thrips, Franklinothrips vespiformis (Crawford)(Thysanoptera : Aeolothripidae) : First Record from Japan

We found a predatory thrips, Franklinothrips vespiformis (Crawford) in Okinawa, Japan in 1996 and this is the first record of occurrence of this predator in Japan. The behavior and morphology of this species were observed in the laboratory. Both larvae and adults attacked larvae and adults of Thrips palmi, two spider mite species, larvae of the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia argentifolii and larvae of the serpentine leafminer Liriomyza trifolii. Adults collected in the field were all female and their offspring also all female. These facts suggest that this thrips propagates by female parthenogenesis. This thrips has four pre-imaginal instars : larva I, larva II, pupa I and pupa II. Adults deposited eggs singly into plant tissue by the ovipositor. Mature larvae secreted silk from the posterior end of the body and made cocoons in the space formed by two joining veins of the underside of the cucumber leaf. Morphological features of each stage as well as keys to the larval and pupal instars were described.