Comparison of thrips sensitivity of three commercial chrysanthemum cultivars

Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci)are very important pests of vegetables and ornamentals grown under protected conditions. Both are vectors of several Orthotospovirusspecies. We wanted to know if these insects have a host preference and a gradation period, so we contacted a cut chrysanthemum grower in south Bács-Kiskun county if he would allow us to followupthe occurrence of these thrips species in his nursery. We carried out our trial from 2015 to 2019 on 3 cultivars. These cultivars are popular cut flowers in Hungary and are grown successfully by many growers. Basedon our results we were able to answer both questions.