SPECIES OF THRIPS (THYSANOPTERA) IN AVOCADO ORCHARDS IN NAYARIT, MÉXICO

ABSTRACT This study was conducted in 3 different counties (Tepic, Xalisco and San Blas) of the avocado growing area of Nayarit. For identification of species, thrips collections were conducted during 2008 using knockdown and net sweeping techniques. A total of 72 species were captured, 10 of which were phytophagous of which the most prevalent was Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouche) (13.42%); 16 were predaceous of which the most prevalent was Franklinothrips vespiformis (D. L. Crawford) (8.26%) and 46 species (26.83%) were considered occasional visitors. Species registered for the first time in Mexico were as follows: Heterothrips xolismae Hood 1936; H. pubescens Hood 1934; Frankliniella ramirezi Mound & Marullo 1996; F. sandovalensis Retana 1998 and Macrophthalmothrips heinzei Mound 1972.