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

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong>The species <em>Megalurothrips usitatus</em> is a thrips insect that has been recorded in Asia, Oceania, Australia and recently in America, attacking legume crops.<strong> Objective: </strong>to report <em>Megalurothrips usitatus</em> as species associated with flowers of common bean plants in Costa Rica.<strong> Methodology: </strong>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.<strong> Results: </strong>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).<strong> Implications:</strong> the new report of the insect in flowers of <em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> implies future monitoring actions and respective integrated management; ignoring thrips populations could cause losses in the bean's regional production.<strong> Conclusion: </strong>the bean flower thrips is reported for the first time in Costa Rica. <strong></strong></p>