The bean thrips, Caliothrips phaseoli: Biology, damage, and its importance in Mexico.

Abstract

The bean thrips Caliothrips phaseoli is one of the main pest species affecting bean cultivation in Mexico. It is a small, predominantly black insect that can feed on different crops and weeds. Its life cycle consists of the egg, two nymphal instars, prepupa, pupa, and adult. C. phaseoli is mostly associated with foliage tissue. Its incidence is critical in early stages of development, specifically during the seedling and vegetative growth periods, unlike other thrips that primarily colonize flowers and may appear similar to the naked eye. Although it has a wide distribution in the country, its economic impact as a pest is concentrated primarily in the states of Sinaloa and Sonora. Currently, C. phaseoli lacks standardized management protocols, and the application of pesticides predominates, which increases the risk of generating resistant populations. To reverse this trend, it is necessary to move toward an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) model. This approach proposes the use of efficient monitoring techniques, the utilization of natural enemies, the strategic elimination of alternative hosts, and the use of resistant varieties. The implementation of an IPM, coordination among producers, and the standardization of management criteria and methods are fundamental to strengthening phytosanitary management and guaranteeing the productive viability of beans in the face of the growing pressure from this pest.