The distribution of Asian bean thrips, Megalurothips usitatus Bangall, 1913 in different bean fields in south Florida

Asian bean thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus has been invaded in south Florida in 2019 and causing serious damage to the bean crops of different varieties. Asian bean thrips (ABT) are commonly found in legume flowers that lead to crop loss. In the present study, we observed the distribution of Asian bean thrips in different bean varieties cultivated in Miami-Dade County. The study was conducted in different growers’ fields. We observed a higher number of adult ABT in flowers than the leaf and pod, irrespective of the variety of beans. The black-eyed bean was found as the favorable host of this thrips as observed with a higher number of adult and larval ABT than the snap bean. The feeding injury of this thrips can reduce the yield of the bean. We also observed the growers are forced to abandon the field with the heavy infestation of ABT. Information from this study will be helpful for local growers to understand the distribution pattern of thrips and implement some management tactics before they are established in the field.