Looking at weeds to protect crops - a case study for thrips in strawberry

Abstract: Preliminary data are presented about thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) presence in strawberry crop and in the boundary vegetation, with the objective of contributing to the knowledge of the interaction crop-weeds, aiming a more efficient and sustainable crop protection. The predators Aeolothrips spp. were especially abundant in the crop, followed by the phytophagous Thrips angusticeps Uzel. Lupinus luteus L. was found to be a potential source of those predators to the crop. In relation to T. angusticeps, specimens were more abundant in the weeds Andryala integrifolia L., Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr. and Ranunculus trilobus Desf. Considerations about other thrips species/genera in relation to the crop and weeds are also presented.