Thrips-fimgus association with special reference to the sporophagous Bactrothrips idolomorphus (Karny). (Tubulifera: Thysanoptera)

Abstract

Aspects of feeding and fungal spore preference in terms of the percentage of gut-spore composition, and the relative preference of sporophagous Tubulifera to Coelomycetes, Ascomycetes, Hyphomycetes are highlighted. A positive correlation between the width of the maxillary stylets and the fungal spore size indicates the relationship between the two in the choice of the spore type for feeding. The incidence of reproductive polymorphism among the majority of large spore feeding thrips and their absence in hyaline spore feeders, the role of abiotic factors such as temperature and relative humidity in determining the type of reproduction and their influence on the post-embryonic development inBactrothrips idolomorphus are discussed. Numerical variation in the pre-vitellogenic, vitellogenic and developing oocytes during oviparity, ovoviviparity and viviparity is also discussed.