Study of Thrips (Thysanoptera) in regions of Isfahan and ChaharMahal Bakhtiari provinces

Thrips (Thysanoptera), despite their small size, play an important role in the natural and agricultural ecosystems and they have a wide range of diets. Many species due to their ability to cause direct and indirect damages by feeding on crops and  by transmission of plant viruses are economically important. Some of them also have a role in pest control, since they are predators of other Thysanoptera, aphids, mites and other small arthropods. In this study, the sampling and identification of Thysanoptera in two provinces of Isfahan and Chaharmahal Bakhtiari were carried out during 2016-2018. Thrips species were collected by shaking fromvarious plants, including fruit trees, shade trees, ornamental plants, feild crop plants and weeds. By examining the  microscopic slide preparations, 29 species belonging to 14 genera and four families of two orders, Tubulifera and Terebrantia, were identified. In general 17 species were reported for the first time from Isfahan and Chaharmahal Bakhtiari provinces. Most identified species were found to be phytophagous and some have importance as agricultural pests. The collected species from   Aeolothrips and Scolothrips genera are predators.