Method of Rearing Frankliniella occidentalis Using Bee Pollen Pellets of Camellia sinensis

Abstract

Pure pollen of tea Camellia sinensis is known to be an excellent food for the production of offspring by adult thrips but is difficult to obtain. Therefore, the effect of commercially available bee pollen of C. sinensis or C. japonica on reproductive performance was compared with that of pure pollen of C. sinensis in Frankliniella occidentalis. The number of eggs deposited by females differed significantly among the three types of food: the bee pollen of C. japonica was less effective than the others, whereas the bee pollen of C. sinensis was comparable to the pure pollen. No significant difference was observed in hatchability or adult emergence rate among the pollen types. These results suggest that the bee pollen of C. sinensis can be used as food for the efficient rearing of F. occidentalis.