Thrips (Thysanoptera: Terebrantia) in Nectarine Orchards in North-East Spain: Species Diversity and Fruit Damage

Abstract

Thrips constitute one of the main nectarine pests, with damage either in flowering or before harvesting (silvering). Several species are associated with damage to flowers, but Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is the main species associated with summer damage in Europe. Tree canopies of nectarine orchards under organic and integrated management were sampled in Lleida and Girona at four key moments of the season (bud burst, full flowering, fruit setting stage, and colorization of the fruit) during 2021 and 2022 to determine the species composition in the area and the damage caused during fruit maturation. Adult individuals in flowers, leaves, and fruit surfaces were collected and identified, and silvering damage to the fruit surface was assessed in the Lleida area. Fifteen species in Lleida and 10 species in Girona were collected from the tree canopy. Organic orchards in Lleida showed lower populations and silvering damage levels when compared with integrated orchards. Thrips fuscipennis Haliday (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) 1836 was the main species in Lleida during harvest, and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) 1895 was the main species in Girona. Due to their predominance, both species were associated with silvering damage during fruit maturation.