Slash pine flower thrips

Gnophothrips fuscus (Morgan) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Orientation to pest

The biology of slash pine flower thrips, Gnophothrips fuscus (Morgan), is poorly known. It is assumed to be widespread throughout the eastern United States but has only been of concern in seed orchards of slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. elliottii Engelm.), where feeding on female cones destroys about a quarter of the potential seed set.

Hosts commonly attacked

The principal hosts are slash (P. elliottii var. elliottii), jack (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), and loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) pines.

Distribution

Slash pine flower thrips is found in the southeastern United States, from Florida to east Texas, north to Ohio and Maryland.

USDA Forest Service • "Seed and Cone Insects of Southern Pines"

Figure 1. U. S. distribution of slash pine flower thrips, Gnophothrips fuscus

Images of slash pine flower thrips

István Mikó and the NCSU Insect Museum 768x512	Bernard H. Ebel, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	USDA Forest Service - "Seed and Cone Insects of Southern Pines" 279x318
Figure 2. Slash pine flower thrips, Gnophothrips fuscus	Figure 3. Young female slash pine cone showing damage from slash pine flower thrips	Figure 4. Damage of slash pine flower thrips as seen in mature cones

Important biological control agents related to this pest species

Nothing is known about specialized natural enemies of this species.

Web links for information on slash pine flower thrips

• Seed and Cone Insects Fact Sheet | ForestPests.org | USDA Forest Service, Southern Region

Articles

• Fatzinger, C. W. and W. N. Dixon. 1991. Development of sampling methods for the slash pine flower thrips Gnophothrips fuscus (Morgan), (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), pp. 149-161. In: Parker, B.L., M. Skinner, and T. Lewis (ed.), Towards Understanding Thysanoptera. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report NE-147.