Damage to tomato by Ceratothripoides claratris (Shumsher) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in central Thailand and a note on its parasitoid, Goetheana shakespearei Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Abstract

We found that Ceratothripoides claratris (Shumsher) causes damage to tomato in central Thailand by infesting tomato leaves; severe infestation resulted in plants drying out. The eulophid wasp, Goetheana shakespearei Girault was reared from the larvae of this thrips species; parasitization rate was about 30%. A few specimens of Ceranisus menes (Walker) also emerged from parasitized C. claratris larvae. Plant quarantine agencies in countries, where C. claratris is not presently distributed should be on the lookout for invasion by this insect.