Interspecific competition between Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) and the thrips complex present in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Mayabeque, Cuba

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Lizandra Guerra Arzuaga
Ileana L. Miranda Cabrera
Moraima Suris Campos

Abstract

A common bean field of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA), Mayabeque province, was weekly sampled to determine the potential interspecific competition of Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall against the thrips complex present in this crop. The study was carried out in a 0.5 ha-1 area planted with the cultivar ‘Cult 156’. The thrips samples collected were placed in properly labeled plastic jars containing 70% alcohol and transported to the National Center for Agricultural Health (CENSA). Subsequently, the samples were prepared and mounted for identification. The Lotka-Volterra model was applied for the interspecific competition analysis. M. usitatus was identified in 88% of the analyzed samples. This species showed rapid population growth until it reached an equilibrium value, while the other thrips species (Thrips palmi Karny and Frankliniella sp.) were displaced in their growth to a lower population density. The species M. usitatus exhibited interspecific competition, with a population density and frequency of occurrence higher than those exhibited by the others. The results showed that M. usitatus introduction into the entomofauna of the bean crop in Cuba produced a competitive displacement of the other thrips species usually associated with this crop.

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1.
Guerra Arzuaga L, Miranda Cabrera IL, Suris Campos M. Interspecific competition between Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) and the thrips complex present in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Mayabeque, Cuba. Rev. Protección Veg. [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 12 [cited 2026 May 24];41. Available from: https://censa.edicionescervantes.com/index.php/RPV/article/view/1452
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ORIGINAL ARTICLES

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