Overview of Updated Control Tactics for Western Flower Thrips

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, is a significant agricultural pest that challenges crop production. WFT are tiny insects that feed on various plants, causing damage that affects crop yield and quality. Effective control strategies are necessary to mitigate their impact. This review briefly overviews WFT and highlights key control strategies. Monitoring thrips populations through methods like sticky traps and visual inspections is crucial for timely intervention and assessing infestation levels, while control strategies for WFT include crop rotation and diversification to disrupt their life cycle, as well as the removal of alternate host plants and weeds that serve as reservoirs. In addition, selecting the appropriate insecticides based on thrips’ susceptibility and minimal impact on beneficial insects, and integrated pest management approaches combining cultural practices and biological control, are also recommended. Implementing these control strategies helps manage WFT effectively, protect crop production, and maintain a sustainable agricultural system. ABSTRACT: Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), broadly known as Western flower thrips (WFT), are currently one of the most critical pests worldwide in field and greenhouse crops, and their management is full of yet unsolved challenges derived from their high reproductive potential, cryptic habit, and ability to disperse. The control of this pest relies widely on chemical control, despite the propensity of the species to develop resistance. However, significant advances have been produced through biological and ethological control. Although there has recently been a remarkable amount of new information regarding the management of this pest worldwide, there is no critical analysis of recent developments and advances in the attractive control tactics for WFT, constituting the present compilation’s aim. Hence, this narrative review provides an overview of effective control strategies for managing thrips populations. By understanding the pest’s biology, implementing monitoring techniques, accurately identifying the species, and employing appropriate control measures, farmers and researchers can mitigate the WFT impact on agricultural production and promote sustainable pest management practices.