Influences of different putation substrate on pupae development period, eclosion rate and sex ratio of Megalurothrips usitatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Objective  To investigate the effects of sand, vermiculite, sawdust, kitchen paper on the eclosion rate of Megalurothrips usitatus.

Method  Sand, sawdust and vermiculite, all with three moisture levels, and kitchen paper were used as growth substrates for M. usitatus pupation in laboratory experiments. The number of emerged insects were observed and recorded daily.

Result  The highest eclosion rate (54.33%) was observed for M. usitatus in kitchen paper, followed by 44.67% in sand with 5% water content, and the lowest eclosion rate was recorded in vermiculite treatment. The shortest pupa developmental period (5.29 d) was observed for M. usitatus in sand with 5% water content, followed by 6.01 d in sand with 7% water content. The highest male-female ratio (0.60) was observed for M. usitatus in vermiculite with 30% water content, followed by 0.48 in vermiculite with 25% water content.

Conclusion  Kitchen paper is the most suitable pupation substrate for M. usitatus under current laboratory conditions.