Determination of thrips (Thysanoptera) fauna on stone and pome fruit trees in Balıkesir province, Turkey

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify species belonging to Thysanoptera in stone and pome fruit orchards in the districts (Balya, Bandırma, Bigadiç, Burhaniye, Dursunbey, Erdek, Gönen, Havran, Kepsut and Manyas) of Balıkesir Province, Turkey in 2018 and 2019. The survey revealed 32 Thysanoptera (thrips) species. Thrips were examined in 9900 flowers, leaves, and fruits from 198 orchards during the research. The most widespread (total number of samples) and abundant (total number of individuals) species were: Taeniothrips inconsequens (Uzel) (Thripidae: Thysanoptera) (158 specimens- 2922 individuals), Haplothrips reuteri (Karny) (Phlaeothripidae: Thysanoptera) (76- 529), Thrips meridionalis (Priesner) (55- 359) and Thrips minutissimus Linnaeus (21- 209) (Thripidae: Thysanoptera). The highest number of thrips specimens were detected from cherry (Prunus avium L.), followed by apple (Malus domestica L.), peach (Prunus persica Batsch), and plum (Prunus domestica L.) trees. Ta. inconsequens predominated the thrips fauna on peach and cherry. H. reuteri was the most abundant species on pear. Thrips were found in 41.94% of flowers, while they were detected in 1.83% and 1.16% of fruit and leaves. This study was designed to fill the gaps in the data such as diversity in plant species associated, spatial distribution on plant parts, and temporal distribution in relation to phenological periods.