Distribution and population dynamics of thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Pakistan

Abstract

The current study aims to know the prevailing distribution of Thrips tabaci as well as its level of infestation associated with onion crop in selected districts i.e. Charsadda, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Swat and lower Dir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. To achieve objectives of study, an extensive survey was carried out during 2011-12. The average population of both nymphs and adults that were collected from district Swat had significantly high than other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The lowest mean numbers of thrips plant -1 (16.03) were recorded from East part of district Peshawar, whereas highest (36.49) incidence of different Thrips species were from district Swat. On basis of present investigation, it is concluded that thrips associated with onion crops were distributed from (March to May) though out in all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The specimens collected from these areas were mostly consisted of T. tabaci however, in district Swat and district Dir Thrips palmi, Frankliniella fuscus and Thrips tabaci were coexisted with each other.