Occurrence of Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) on sweet gum in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

The red-banded thrips Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) was originally distributed throughout northern South America. This thrips attacks tropical fruits such as mango, cocoa, and guava in North America, Asia, and Central and South Africa. In Japan, it has been observed on mango and guava in Okinawa Prefecture, Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, the Ogasawara Islands in Tokyo Metropolis, and Kochi Prefecture; on Actinidia rufa in Miyazaki Prefecture; and on maple trees in Kyoto Prefecture. In late September 2022, damage caused by S. rubrocinctus was observed in sweet gum in Kyoto Prefecture, with gray or dark brown leaves. This is the first record of S. rubrocinctus occurring on sweet gum in Japan. The degree of damage to the leaves and the occurrence of adults and larvae of the thrips were investigated in sweet gum lining streets and road facilities in Kyoto Prefecture. Damage caused by the thrips to sweet gum was observed in areas south of Kameoka, and adults and larvae were detected in areas south of Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture.