Effective extraction and observation procedure of Scirtothrips dorsalis wahed from plants

Abstract

Apparatus for extracting Scirtothrips dorsalis washed from plants consists of a 1-mm-aperture polyester mesh sieve stacked on top of a 75-μm-aperture nylon mesh sieve. Both sieves have an inner diameter of 75 mm and are 40 mm in height. A plant sample is placed in a 2- to 5-L beaker and 0.09% detergent solution is added. Following vigorous agitation, the solution is poured on the upper sieve. The washing and extraction procedures are performed again using tap water. Absolute ethanol is sprayed over the mesh of the top sieve to eliminate foaming of the detergent. The bottom sieve, which retains small insects and debris, is mounted on a Petri dish covered with a circular OHP film. The film has a 10-mm square grid printed on it and is backed with adhesive white tape. S. dorsalis and other thrips on the mesh are observed and counted under a binocular microscope