Diversity and Diagnostic features of Thrips (Thripidae:Terebrantia: Thysanoptera) infesting important Crops

Thrips are one of the important group of insects causing significant damage to a number of economically important plants by way of feeding, breeding and transmitting plant diseases. Of the 700 species known from India, nearly 18 species are considered to be potential pests and their diagnostic features are presented so as to identify them easily. The species such as Anaphothrips sudanenesis, Astrothrips tumiceps, Caliothrips indicus, Helionothrips kadaliphilus, Frankliniella schultzei, Lefryothrips lefroyi, Megalurothrips distalis, Mycterothrips setiventris, Panchaetothrips indicus, Retithrips syriacus, Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Sciothrips cardamomi, Scirtothrips dorsalis, Scirtothrips bispinosus, Selenothrips rubrocinctus, Stenchaetothrips biformis, Thrips palmi and Thrips tabaci were included and diagnostic features described.