Neohydatothrips Burungae Field Surveys and Distribution in California

In December 2004, Neohydatothrips burungae was collected from avocado trees in San Diego California during a survey for avocado lace bug. Neohydatohrips burungae has been collected from avocados in Mexico and Guatemala by Hoddle (Hoddle et al., 2002). In Mexico and Guatemala this thrips was as common as avocado thrips, Scirtothrips perseae, in areas of intermediate altitude. In colder high altitude areas S. perseae dominated, almost exclusively, and in warmer more humid lowland areas N. burungae was dominant on avocados. Neohydatothrips burungae has also been collected in large numbers from mangoes in Nayarit, suggesting it may be more polyphagous than S. perseae. Further, this thrips has recently emerged as a major pest of commercial passion fruit production in Colombia, South America.