Trips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) asociados a cebolla, lechuga, chile dulce y malezas asociadas en El Zamorano, Honduras

Abstract

Thrips (Thysanoptera) constitute one of the most important groups of pest insects in horticultural crops worldwide. In Honduras, knowledge about the species of thrips present in crops and associated plants is scarce. The objective of the study was to know the species of thrips present in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), onion (Allium cepa L.), lettuce (Lactuca saliva L.), and the four main associated weeds in systems developed in agroecological contexts in El Zamorano (Honduras). Two surveys were carried out for crops and weeds between November 2020 and March 2021. Sampling was carried out randomly and in a non-systematic manner. The four weeds selected for their history of abundance and persistence inside and outside the horticultural plots were identified with taxonomic keys. The thrips collected in the field were taken to laboratory conditions to be macerated, dehydrated, clarified, and mount them on microslides to observe them under a microscope to identify them with taxonomic keys. The weeds sampled and identified included Amaranthus hybridus L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Melampodium divaricatum (Richard), and Portulaca oleracea L. 622 thrips were collected, and seven species were identified, including Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), Frankliniella bispinosa Morgan, Frankliniella insularis (Franklin), Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom), Microcephalothrips abdominalis (Crawford), Thrips tabaci Lindeman, and Haplothrips gowdeyi Franklin. In the horticultural system studied, F. occidentalis was the dominant species.