Widening range of thrips in open-field rose cultivation: three species newly identified as pests in southern India

Rose is a high-value ornamental crop widely cultivated under both open-field and protected conditions in India. Thrips have emerged as a major pest group, causing significant aesthetic and economic damage. This study investigated the species composition of thrips infesting open-field roses in southern India, along with associated damage symptoms and morphological diagnostics. Five species were identified: Frankliniella occidentalis , Retithrips syriacus , Scirtothrips dorsalis , Thrips palmi and Thrips parvispinus . Of these, R. syriacus , T. palmi and T. parvispinus represent newly recorded species on roses in India. The study did not reveal a reliable correlation between specific thrips species and identifiable symptom patterns. The presence of invasive, polyphagous species such as F. occidentalis and T. parvispinus poses a threat to other susceptible crops, with roses potentially serving as a reservoir. There remains a significant risk of heightened losses should these species establish themselves in roses cultivated under protected environments such as greenhouses and polyhouses. The findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and species-specific integrated pest management strategies to mitigate future economic risks.