Hoplothrips polysticti (Thysanoptera) on the wood-rotting polypore Trichaptum abietinum infesting dead Picea abies in Norway

Abstract

The fungivorous thrips Hoplothrips polysticti has previously been reported only from Scotland and Sweden. During a survey in forests of different ages in southeastern Norway, the thrips species was found to be common in dead Picea abies infested by Trichaptum abietinum, especially in a semi-old forest. Hoplothrips unicolor was also recorded for the first time in Norway. The occurrence of H. polysticti is discussed in relation to the age of the forests, and to the biochemical interference between fungi impacting the nutrient quality for the thrips. H. polysticti is proposed as a vector for T. abietinum.