Following the strong heat that hits Buenos Aires and the suburbs, an invasion of insects has unkindled thousands of people in the Argentine city. Some believed that they were mites of birds or lice of pigeons, but it is a pest of 'thrips', small insects that in recent days have settled between plants, swimming pools and in various regions.

The insect is similar to the size and color of a louse, but is known as Caliothrips phaseoli. Although they are not seen as often in urban areas, they often cause problems every year for rural sectors in the summer period.

On social networks, a video that went viral shows a pool full of these "pets". They were also seen on hanging clothes, as the dark color of the damp cloth usually bring them, in addition to causing an itch when they land on the skin.

According to the National Pest Surveillance and Monitoring System (Sinavimo), adult thrips are almost black dark gray and measure just over 1 millimeter in length.

Heat is the ideal climate for its reproduction, which occurs in a few days: females lay their eggs in the tissues of the plant, and the larvae that hatch from the eggs feed on the surrounding tissues.

Due to their size and location in protected parts of plants, it is difficult to detect them. Therefore, they recommend paying attention to the appearance of black dots (which are their excrement) in the leaves of plants, because this is an indication of the presence of thrips, which feed mainly on pollen, but the larvae feed on plant tissues, which are responsible for most of the damage produced in the crops. Soybeans and marijuana, for example, are the plantations that suffer the most from the pest of this insect.

In March, the city of Buenos Aires broke its record for maximum temperature for the second time. According to MetSul, last Saturday reached 38.9ºC amid the unprecedented heat wave for this time of year in the region. On day 2, the temperature reached 38.0ºC in the Argentine capital. The largest mark observed in March since the beginning of measurements in 1906 in the city, according to MetSul. The mark surpassed the previous record of 37.9ºC of March 7, 1952.

Source: Um só Planeta