Development of an efficient trapping system for New Zealand flower thrips, Thrips obscuratus.

Background: New Zealand flower thrips (NZFT), Thrips obscuratus (Crawford), is an economic pest of various horticultural crops in New Zealand and is recognised as a quarantine pest globally. Two chemical attractants (ethyl nicotinate and 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one), three dispensers, three trap designs and four trap heights were investigated to determine the most effective method for monitoring NZFT. Phenology of NZFT at two locations was compared.