Scirtothrips inermis, a thrips caught in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Scirtothrips inermis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) has been detected on sticky traps in a botanical garden in the South East of England. There had been 2 earlier findings of S. inermis in the United Kingdom, one on sticky traps in a botanical garden in 1999, and another in a different botanical garden on bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) in 2000. It is not known whether populations of S. inermis are still present at these 2 sites. Given the minute size of the insect (; 1 mm) and the difficulties of its identification, it cannot be excluded that S. inermis occurs in other sites but has remained undetected. S. inermis is reported to occur in the EPPO region in Cyprus and Spain (mainland and Islas Canarias), as well as in other parts of the world (Australia, New Zealand, and California (US)). Considering the low importance of S. inermis as a pest, and its known presence in Europe, no phytosanitary measures will be taken in the United Kingdom.
Sources
NPPO of the United Kingdom (2009-06).