Megalurothrips usitatus, a threat to legume production in south Florida, Central America and the Caribbean

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

11:19 AM – 11:31 AM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 122 C, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

HS

Hugh Smith

Associate Professor
University of Florida
Wimauma, Florida

Co-Author(s)

CI

Cleveland B. Ivey

University of Florida, Florida
MM

Mariana Monteiro

University of Florida, Florida
FD

Felipe Barreto Da Silva

University of Florida, Florida
AR

Astrid Racancoj

Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Agrícola, Villa Nueva, Guatemala
Paul F. Rugman-Jones

Professional Researcher
University of California
Riverside, California

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) originates from the Asian tropics. It became established in south Florida in 2020, and has been recorded since then in Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Megalurothrips usitatus causes significant damage to snap bean, common bean (both Phaseolus vulgaris) and other leguminous crops. Snap bean production in south Florida has been significantly impacted, as has production of common bean and legumes grown for export in Central America and the Caribbean, where common bean is a food staple. Megalurothrips usitatus is often part of a complex of thrips infesting legumes, and pest status can vary among different species. Insecticidal and biological controls are being evaluated as management approaches, and population genomics relationships among M. usitatus and other thrips in legumes in the region are being characterized.