Global invasion of Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) across three continents associated with its one haplotype

It was first detected in Florida in 2020 on ornamental plants (Hoya and Anthurium) in greenhouses and subsequently on ornamental plants in residential landscapes (Gardenia) in 2021. However, its first report on open vegetable field crops (Capsicum) in Florida was in 2022.

We conducted field surveys and genetic analysis to answer three questions: 1) Is the population of T. parvispinus that invaded Florida the same as the one that has spread globally in the last few decades? 2) Is the host expansion to Capsicum in Florida a new population or the extension of the existing population reported on ornamental plants? 3) What are the native and invaded distribution ranges of T. parvispinus? We analyzed the genetic variation in the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) to address these questions.