The Fauna and Ecology of Thrips (Thysanoptera) in the Southern Part of the Curonian Spit in the Baltic Sea, Russia

A comprehensive survey of thrips (Thysanoptera) species diversity on the southern Curonian Spit identified 35 species across 18 genera and 3 families. Notably, five species—Drepanothrips reuteri, Rubiothrips silvarum, Thrips linariae, Bolothrips dentipes, and Haplothrips arenarius—were previously undocumented in Kaliningrad Province, with three of these (Anaphothrips badius, D. reuteri, and H. arenarius) deemed rare enough to warrant inclusion in protected species lists for eastern Poland. The study also revealed that Thrips tabaci, the most common species, exhibits hydrophobic tendencies, avoiding moist habitats like raised bogs and near-water vegetation. This research contributes critical baseline data on thrips ecology across diverse habitats (e.g., pine stands, dunes) while highlighting regional biodiversity patterns and conservation priorities in this ecologically significant region.

Rozhina, V. I., & Boklykova, O. S. (2022). The Fauna and Ecology of Thrips (Thysanoptera) in the Southern Part of the Curonian Spit in the Baltic Sea, Russia. Entomological Review, 102(8), 1086–1092. https://doi.org/10.1134/s001387382208005x