Physiological Studies on Thrips in Relation to Transmission of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Abstract

The hydrogen ion concentration of the midguts of larval and adult Thrips tabaci and T. imaginis is between pH 5·0 and 5·6. The oxidation-reduction potential at these values is between + 0·184 and + 0·262 V. There is thus no difference between thrips that are vectors and those that are not vectors of the virus causing tomato spotted wilt. Furthermore, the pH and Eh conditions in the midgut of larval T. tabaci are unsuitable for long survival of the virus.