Biological Parameters and Age-Specific Life Table of Haplothrips tritici (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) on Wheat

Abstract

Haplothrips tritici (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is an important pest of wheat that causes significant economic losses through direct feeding on developing grains and floral tissues, leading to reduced grain quality and yield. Knowledge of the biological characteristics and population growth potential of this pest is essential for predicting outbreaks and developing effective pest management strategies. The present study was conducted to evaluate the biological parameters and age-specific life table characteristics of H. tritici on wheat under controlled environmental conditions. Laboratory experiments were performed to assess developmental duration, survival rate, longevity, fecundity, and reproductive performance of the pest across its different life stages. Age-specific survival and fecundity data were used to construct life tables and estimate key population growth parameters, including intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, finite rate of increase, and mean generation time. The results demonstrated that H. tritici completed its life cycle successfully on wheat and exhibited high reproductive potential under favorable environmental conditions. Significant variation was observed among developmental stages in terms of survival and developmental duration. Adult females showed greater longevity and reproductive capacity compared with males, contributing substantially to population growth. Life table analysis indicated rapid population increase potential, with high survival and fecundity during reproductive stages. Environmental conditions such as temperature and food availability were found to strongly influence developmental rate and reproductive performance. The findings suggest that wheat provides a suitable host environment for the multiplication and establishment of H. tritici populations. Understanding the biological and demographic characteristics of this pest provides valuable insights into its population dynamics and outbreak potential in wheat production systems. The study contributes important baseline information for developing integrated pest management strategies and improving monitoring programs aimed at minimizing crop damage and economic losses caused by wheat thrips infestations.