First report of Scirtothrips dorsalis in Mexico
In Mexico, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A2 List) was found for the first time in 2019 during studies carried in commercial blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) fields in Michoacan state. In Mexico, the cultivation of blueberries has increased during the last decade, growing from 402 ha in 2010 to 3 780 ha in 2018, the states of Jalisco, Michoacan and Sinaloa being the main producers. In June 2019, a study on thrips possibly occurring in blueberry fields was conducted in Michoacan. Thrips were collected in 10 commercial blueberry fields in 3 municipalities (Jacona, Tangancicuaro, and Zamora) by shaking plants over a tray (random sampling for 30 min per plot, covering approximately 0.5 ha). As a results 2 400 thrips specimens (1 028 adults and 1 372 larvae) were collected and the most abundant species identified was S. dorsalis (975 specimens), followed by Frankliniella occidentalis (49) and F. cephalica (1). This is the first time that S. dorsalis is reported from Mexico. It was observed that infested blueberry plants showed severe leaf damage, and that nearby raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and blackberry (Rubus sp.) plants were also infested by S. dorsalis. It is not known how S. dorsalis has been introduced into Mexico.
The situation of Scirtothrips dorsalis in Mexico can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (Michoacan).
Sources
Ortiz JA, Infante F, Rodriguez D, Toledo-Hernandez RA (2020) Discovery of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in blueberry fields of Michoacan, Mexico. Florida Entomologist 103(3), 408-410. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.103.0316