FIRST REPORT OF COMMON BEAN FLOWER THRIPS Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall IN COSTA RICA

Abstract

Background: The species Megalurothrips usitatus is a thrips insect that has been recorded in Asia, Oceania, Australia and recently in America, attacking legume crops. Objective: to report Megalurothrips usitatus as species associated with flowers of common bean plants in Costa Rica. Methodology: the thrips from three growing bean locations were sampled and characterized through light microscopy in Costa Rica. Furthermore, a phylogenetic analysis of the COI gene compared with the databases of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) was performed. Results: The species was recorded in three bean growing areas (Sardinal of Guanacaste, Estación Experimental Agrícola Fabio Baudrit Moreno in Alajuela and La Managua in Quepos). Implications: the new report of the insect in flowers of Phaseolus vulgaris implies future monitoring actions and respective integrated management; ignoring thrips populations could cause losses in the bean's regional production. Conclusion: the bean flower thrips is reported for the first time in Costa Rica.