TITLE:
Presence of the Thrips Gynaikothrips uzeli and Its Predator Montandoniola confusa in Ficus benjamina
AUTHORS:
Sergio Luis Tovar-Mosqueda, Manuel Dario Salas-Araiza, Ilse Alejandra Huerta-Arredondo, Rafael Guzmán-Mendoza
KEYWORDS:
Gall-Inducing Thrips, Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae, Urban Trees, Natural Enemies, Hemiptera: Anthocoridae
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Entomology,
Vol.14 No.1,
November
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: Gynaikothrips uzeli Zimmermann (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is a gall-inducing thrips that has been observed on Ficus in urban trees, reducing its photosynthetic capacity and ornamental value. The objective of this study was to contribute to the understanding of the population dynamics and predator-prey relationships over a five-month period of G. uzeli and its natural enemies on Ficus benjamina. Biweekly samples were collected at two sites in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, between January and May 2023. A total of 100 infested Ficus benjamina (Moraceae) leaves were collected, with thrips and predators quantified. Presence of Gynaikothrips uzeli (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) and its predator Montandoniola confusa Streito (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) was confirmed. A total of 634 thrips nymphs, 507 predator nymphs, 5691 adult thrips, and 56 adult predators were recorded. Significant positive correlations were found between thrips and predator populations for both immature and adult stages (R2 = 0.91 and R2 = 0.92, respectively). Thrips populations peaked in January (nymphs) and February-March (adults), while predator nymphs dominated from February to April. Abundances were higher at the older Ficus trees. This study contributes to understanding interactions of gall thrips and their predators on ornamental Ficus trees in Mexico.