The Importance and Management Option of Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci (L.) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Ethiopia: A Review

Thrips attack a number of vegetable crops particularly onion thrips causing considerable economic damage on onion crops. Usually young leaves are preferred, but buds and flowers also get infested. Under severe infested conditions the leaves shed and hence plant growth is affected and their control is vital to the production and profitability of onion crop. Most onion fields need protection against onion thrips for two to three months depends on the varieties. If onion thrips are not controlled, damage can routinely reduce bulb yields. In addition to use integrated pest management, use of selective insecticides in rotation to be the most important tools for thrips control, but there are few labeled insecticides that registered in Ethiopia provide effective and consistent control. Therefore, the objective of this review was undertaken to evaluate previous work in the management of onion thrips.