Infestation of Ceratothripoides claratris (Shumsher) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on selected food crops in Thailand

Infestation of Ceratothripoides claratris, the most prevalent thrip pest species on tomatoes in Thailand was studied on eight different food crops, chili, cowpea, cucumber, egg- plant, pumpkin, tomato, water melon and yard-long bean, in an open side-wall plastic house at the campus of Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. Percentage infested leaves and abundance of C. claratris on leaves of these crop species were determined at two-week intervals in three separate sampling occasions. The findings indicated that C. claratris has a potential to infest all the food crops tested. However, the abundance of thrips per unit leaf area and degree of infestation varied significantly. Two varieties of tomatoes, i.e., King Kong II and Luktho were found to be the most preferable food crop species for C. claratris. The degree of host preference of C. claratris was determined by the crop species, time and their combined effects.