Thrips in genus Megalurothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): biodiversity, bioecology, and IPM

Abstract

Currently, there are a total of 15 thrips species in the genus Megalurothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom and Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) are the most economically important pest species because of the serious damage they can do to leguminous crops, especially cowpea, which is an important grain crop for Africa and a vegetable crop for the rest of the world. Megalurothrips sjostedti is only distributed in Africa, while M. usitatus is widely spread in subtropical and tropical regions of the world and is more invasive. Nigeria is the only area where both thrips species are shared. Inexplicably, M. usitatus does not seriously damage cowpea in Africa. Bioecological characteristics indicated that M. usitatus adapts to a wider temperature and humidity range, which may result in its current geographic distribution. Since the 2010s, M. usitatus has received more attention and research. The integrated pest management (IPM) strategy of both thrips as case studies was reviewed in this paper, along with multiple complementary tactics, including agronomic measures, physical-chemical lure control, biological control, and chemical control, and insecticide resistance. Lessons have been learned from both M. sjostedti and M. usitatus, as well as from another widespread invasive thrips species, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), thus enhancing our overall understanding of the biology, ecology, and IPM practices of M. sjostedti and M. usitatus.