First report of Thrips parvispinus in Sicilia (Italy)
Thrips parvispinus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – formerly EPPO Alert List) is first reported in Italy. During a survey to detect the presence of thrips in south-eastern Sicilia, T. parvispinus was reported on gerbera flowers (Gerbera jamesonii) in a greenhouse in Vittoria municipality (Ragusa province) in October 2025. In November 2025, Massimino et al. (2026) received symptomatic leaf samples of gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) and mimosa (Acacia sp.) plants from Milazzo (Messina province) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants from Licata (Agrigento province) with confirmed T. parvispinus. The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological and molecular analysis.
Considering the damage cause by the pest in Spain, the authors consider that the presence of T. parvispinus in Sicilia could be a major threat for the vegetable production (particularly Capsicum spp.) in the area.
The situation of Thrips parvispinus in Sicilia (Italy) can be described as: Present, not widely distributed.
Sources
Massimino Cocuzza G, Hmad EB, Novara R (2026) First report in Italy of Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922)(Thysanoptera, Thripidae), a major threat for Sicilian horticulture and floriculture. EPPO Bulletin (early view). https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.70053