Demographical parameters of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera, Thripidae)

In less than 3 years (1986–1988) Frankliniella occidentalis , imported from USA, had spread throughout Europe. It is a polyphagous Thysanoptera which causes important yield loss in greenhouses, in both vegetable and ornamental crops. However, insufficient data are available on its basic biology. The purpose of this work was thus to establish its life table. A cohort of 95 individuals were observed daily during their whole lifetime. The development time is short, 14.2 days, and no significant difference has been observed between males and females. The mean fecundity is high, as 43.17 larvae were produced by a single female. The intrinsic rate of natural increase is 0.140, meaning that the theoretical population may double in 4.94 days.