LAUSR

Caliothrips punctipennis (Hood) and the male of Western Flower Thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) have been recorded for the first time from India. F. occidentalis was collected on the leaves of Erythrina indica from Ooty in the Nilgiris, the Western Ghats, southern India, whereas C. punctipennis was collected from yellow pan traps laid at Great Nicobar, India.  Considering the quarantine importance of the pest F. occidentalis , the report of the male for the first time in India needs attention and concern.  Males are also known to be more effective vectors of tospoviruses than females.  Xerochrysum bracteatum , the Common Golden Everlasting Daisy, is often taken out of Ooty by tourists to other parts of the country.  This along with other planting materials carried by tourists and farmers could aid in the dispersal of F. occidentalis to the temperate regions of northern and southern India, where it is likely to thrive in the congenial climatic conditions prevalent there.  Under these circumstances, it is imperative that quarantine mechanisms within the country are activated and strengthened, to prevent the spread of this notorious pest to the rest of India from the pockets of its occurrence in southern India - particularly the Nilgiris.  The diagnostic characters of both species are discussed.