Thysanoptera survey on Vicia faba (broad bean) in the arid Biskra region of Algeria

Abstract

A survey of thrips on broad bean plants was conducted during 2010-2011 in three sites of Biskra, whitch is an arid province in Algeria. Scouting for thrips was carried out on plants and flowers of three fields from three locations: Sidi-Okba, M`ziraa and El-Outaya. Seven thrips species belonging to six genera were recorded. Melanthrips fuscus, Aeolothrips intermedius, Rhipidothrips gratiosus, Frankiliniella occidentalis, thrips physapus, Thrips angusticeps and Odontothrips loti. The two last species were the most abundant in the three locations. Aeolothrips intermedius was the most abundant species in El-Outaya. Majority of the thrips are cosmopolitan in distribution and recorded as pest species, they can harm broad bean crop. These include Frankliniella occidentalis that may transmit Tospovirus.