Diversity, Host Plant Range and Distribution of Thrips spp. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Three Vegetable Production Basins in Burkina Faso

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Résumé

Onion is the most important vegetable produced in Burkina Faso. It contri- butes to food and nutrition security and is a source of income for farmers. Thrips, which feed on the leaves of the plant, are the main insect pest of onion. The objective of this study was to access the diversity, the host range and the distribution of Thrips spp. in three main onion production areas in Burkina Faso. Three sites were chosen in each vegetable production basin, and plant species present were sampled and inspected to determine their thrips’ infesta- tion status. Seventeen cultivated or wild plant species were attacked by thrips. The incidence of attacks was highest on zucchini plants followed by cucumb- er, eggplant, and onion, respectively. Six thrips species were recorded of which Thrips tabaci (Lindemman) represented more than 70% of the total. The aver- age density of Thrips spp. per plant varied significantly between production basins and plant species. The highest average number of Thrips spp. per plant was recorded on zucchini (40.28 ± 10.28; 17.43 ± 13.48 and 14.33 ± 7.11 re- spectively in the North, Hauts Bassins, and Central Plateau). This study pro- vided basic information that can lead to further research and the development of control methods.

Mots-clés

Onion, Thrips, Diversity, Host Plants, Burkina Faso