Abundancia e identificación de trips en tomate de cáscara (Physalis philadelphica L) y cempaxóchitl (Tagetes erecta L).

Abstract

Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica Lam) is native to the Americas, and thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are one of its main phytosanitary problems. These insects reduce tomatillo yield mostly by damaging the leaves, reducing the plant’s photosynthetic capacity. However, during severe infestations, they also lead to floral buds remaining closed and drying prematurely. Thrips are generally controlled using synthetic pesticides. However, one possible cultural control alternative is the use of spatial arrangements in combination with attractive or repellent plants, such as Mexican marigold or cempaxóchitl (Tagetes erecta L). In the present study, we evaluated the population dynamics of thrips on T. erecta and P. philadelphica in monoculture and in association with each other in three spatial arrangements in two localities in the Toluca Valley. The area under the curve of insect density indicated that the population density of thrips was highest in T. erecta monoculture, during the whole growing cycle in both localities evaluated, significantly higher than the density in P. philadelphica in monoculture in any of the spatial arrangements. All spatial arrangements had higher tomatillo yield compared to monoculture. Regarding the species found in husk tomato, it was Frankliniella occidentalis and in cempaxóchitl three species of thrips were found: Ceratothripoides brunneus, Frankliniella bruneri and Frankliniella occidentalis. Therefore, it is concluded that T. erecta has an additional quality as a natural attractant plant for thrips during all the phonological stages of the plant's life. It attracts a variety of thrips. Frankliniella occidentalis is the thrip that attacks the husk tomato crop.