Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: New Indian Express
Context: In a session of the Rajya Sabha, it was disclosed that the invasive pest species Thrips Parvispinus may have significantly damaged chilli crops in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, causing up to 80% of the crop loss
Thrips parvispinus is an invasive pest species that is native to Thailand and is most prevalent in Southeast Asian countries. It is also known as Taiwanese thrips or Southeast Asia thrips.
Thrips parvispinus can feed on a variety of host plants, including ornamental plants, vegetables, and fruit crops. It can cause severe damage, wilting, and yield loss by piercing the cells of plant tissues and extracting their contents
