The first record of predaceous Scolothrips longicornis Priesner 1926 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Slovakia

Abstract

This preliminary communication presents the first record of predaceous thrips Scolothrips longicornis Priesner, 1926 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Slovakia. As a well known predator of numerous spider mites, e.g. Tetranychus urticae or Eutetranychus orientalis it has been considered as a suitable biological control agent recently. Tetranychids mites are harmful agriculture pests, causing damage on a variety of greenhouse and field crops (e.g. cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, corn, strawberries) and are difficult to control chemically. Scolothrips longicornis was recorded in soil and a tree photoeclector samples from Babsky les wood, a natural oak-hornbeamforest (Fageto-Quercetum), situated in the district of Nitra (SW Slovakia).