Latest Resistance management for sustainable agriculture and improved public health

African cowpea thrips

Megalurothrips sjostedti
The cowpea flower thrips or African bean flower thrips are shiny, black, slender, small-winged insects that feed on flower buds and flowers. During the pre-flowering period, nymphs and adults may damage the terminal buds. However, the main damage is on the flower buds and flowers. Attacked flower buds become brown and eventually fall off, leaving behind dark red scars. Damaged flowers are distorted and malformed. They change colour and may fall off early, with the result that pods are not formed. If pods do begin to form and become infested, they will be malformed.
The insect’s life cycle takes 14-18 days. Eggs are laid in flower buds and nymphs feed on the plant, causing extensive damage. Pupae develop in the soil. (Plantwise Knowledge Bank)

References

Title Year Author(s) Publisher
Genetic analysis of resistance to flower bud thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti) in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) Vol. 165 (1), pp 145-154. 2009 Omo-Ikerodah EE, Fatokun CA, Fawole I Euphytica
Effect of host plant resistance in some cowpea (Vigna unguiculata {L.} Walp.) cultivars on growth and developmental parameters of the flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom) Vol. 23 (2) pp. 83-88. DOI: 10.1016/S0261-2194(03)00171-6 2004 Alabi OY, Odebiyi JA, Tamò M Crop Protection
Field evaluation of cowpea cultivars (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) for resistance to flower bud thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Vol. 49 (4), pp. 287-291. DOI: 10.1080/0967087031000123706 2003 Alabi OY, Odebiyi JA, Jackai LEN International Journal of Pest Management

The information provided is based on literature reviews and as such IRAC cannot guarantee or be held accountable for the accuracy of the reports.

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