Molecular and Phylogenetic Analysis of Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Infesting Chrysanthemum in Kashmir Region

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora L.), native to East Asia and cultivated for over 3,000 years, holds considerable economic significance, but is highly vulnerable to pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and thrips, resulting in substantial losses in both yield and quality. Accurate pest identification is crucial for developing effective management strategies. This study focuses on the molecular identification of thrips infesting this crop. Weekly field surveys were carried out from December 2022 to January 2025 in the polyhouse experimental fields of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir. Molecular analysis involved DNA extraction, phylogenetic tree construction, and protein modeling. The study identified the thrips species as Thrips tabaci with 100% similarity, and the accession number is OR690649.