Pests of specialty cropss
Mulberry Thrips
Order: Thysanoptera
Family: Thripidae
▶Scientific name: Pseudodendrothrips mori (Niwa)
▶English name: Mulberry thrips
▶Size: Body length around 1.6mm
▶Host plants: Mulberry, Fig
▶Distribution: Korea, Japan, Australia, Africa, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, etc.
It typically has 7 generations per year and overwinters as an adult. Both adults and nymphs insert their mouthparts into mulberry leaves and suck the sap. This feeding causes small brown spots to appear on the leaves. The extensive feeding increases water evaporation from the leaves, which reduces the feed value of the mulberry for silkworms.
Infestation is typically higher from summer through autumn under hot and dry conditions.