Analysis of the composition of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) in spontaneous vegetation and crops associated with peanut in Argentina

Abstract

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are a crop from tropical and subtropical regions. Argentina is a significant producer and exporter, with the province of Córdoba concentrating ca. 84% of the peanut-cultivated area in the country. Thrips pose a threat to the crop by causing direct damage through feeding and indirect damage as vectors of orthotospovirus. Despite the importance of these insects and the crop, little is known about the diversity of thrips in the vegetation surrounding peanut crops in Córdoba province. The aim of this study was to expand knowledge on thrips diversity in the plant environment around peanut crops in fields located in Río primero, Río Segundo and General Roca counties (Córdoba, Argentina). Sampling was conducted during the 2021-2022 growing season. The adult trips were collected from spontaneous plants and crops neighboring the peanut, and they were prepared and identified using special keys. In 14 plant species, specimens of Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom), Frankliniella gemina Bagnall, Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), Thrips tabaci (Lindeman), Frankliniella frumenti Moulton, Arorathrips mexicanus (Crawford), and individuals from the genera Heterothrips and Hoplandrothrips were collected. Frankliniella schultzei was the most frequent and abundant species. Spontaneous plants and soybean crops contained thrips species able to transmit orthotospovirus. This study reports for the first time the presence of F. schultzei in Gomphrena pulchella, as well as the first documentation of thrips diversity and their association with spontaneous vegetation in peanut fields in the province of Córdoba.