back to HYPP Zoology home page


.

Peach thrips

Description, Biology, Life Cycle, Damage, Common Names, Images

[R]Biology
Host plants: Rosaceae, especially peach, apricot, almond, plum, cherry, apple and pear.
Adult: the female which was fertilized during the preceding year and has overwintered, resumes activity very early in the year (as early as the middle of February in Mediterranean regions). Living mainly on flowers, it is at first present on the flowers of almond before migrating successively to other Rosaceae as theese begin flowering. It feeds by attacking the flower parts.
Nymph: develops in the flower and the nymph feeding occurs on the ovaries and very young fruits.

[R]Life Cycle
There are 3 generations per year in Mediterranean regions.
Adults occur on the flowers of various species from late February to September, then overwintering in a bed of dead leaves.
The developmental cycle lasts 1 month, which is less than the duration of the egg-laying period. Generations overlap thus.

[R]Damage
This species causes damage to peach, especially nectarine:.
- damage by adults and nymphs to stamens leads to the failure of flowers to set;.
- damage to ovaries and young fruits results in the formation of necrosed areas which persist and widen as fruits develop; the latter crack, become distorted or shrived. Gum is produced on the scars (*) .

[R] Images

1. Thrips meridionalis Priesner (ACTA)
   Damage to nectarine The fruit exhibits growth abnormalities and necrosis.
   .
   
2. Thrips meridionalis Priesner Adult (Drawing by B. Préchac / INRA Versailles)