DIVERSIDAD DE ESPECIES DE TRIPS EN CEMPASÚCHIL (Tagetes erecta L.) Y TOMATE DE CASCARA (Physalis philadelphica LAM.) ASOCIADOS

Abstract

Thrips are small insects, with many species that are pests of commercial crops due to the damage they cause through feeding and oviposition on flowers, terminal buds, leaves and/or fruits. They can cause deformities and discoloration, reducing harvest value. Some species are vectors of phytopathogenic viruses of the Tospovirus (Bunyaviridae) group. Over 20 viruses are known to be transmitted by thrips that affect different types of plants. Decreases in fruit quality, yield, and income are due to their habit of feeding directly on floral structures. In tomatillo (P. philadelphica), thrips limit the yield and are considered the main problem for cultivation in several regions of Mexico and the world. In the majority of crops, it is not known which thrip species are associated with the damage. For their control, a diversity of methods have been used, mainly chemical and biological control. One cultural alternative is the association of crops with attractive or repellent plants such as marigolds (T. erecta). However, the relative abundance of different thrip species on each crop within this association is currently unknown. In the present study, we determined the incidence and estimated the proportion of different thrip species present in associated tomatillo and marigold crops in the locality of Cerrillo Piedras Blancas, Toluca. The results showed the presence of two genera and more than one species of thrips on both crops. On the tomatillo crop, we found F. occidentalis, with an incidence of 30 specimens per trap and a proportion of 100%. For the marigold crop, we report the presence of species of the genus Ceratothripoides and the species F. occidentalis and F. bruneri. Ceratothripoides spp. had an incidence of 1 specimen per trap and a proportion of 3%, F. occidentalis had an incidence of 21 specimens and a proportion of 70%, and F. bruneri had an incidence of 8 specimens per trap and a proportion of 27% of the total population of thrips present on T. erecta.