ChileanJAR

The relationship between thrips on nectarines flowers and scarring on fruits at harvest was studied. The species and density of thrips during and after blossoming period was monitored in two cultivars at Los Andes (V Region). From blossoming period onwards the species Thrips tabaci and Frankliniella cestrum were collected. The female of these species oviposited mainly in sepals and less frecuently in the base of the perianth. From the eclosion onwards these insects feed on the internal tissues of the perianth, base of stamens and pollen. When these structures detach from the base and dehydrate, the nymphs sheltered under the dry tissues start feeding from the surface of the newly developing fruit. In the laboratory, T. tabaci nymphs were used to infest newly developing fruits. These showed a characteristic damage which developed into scarring. Field chemical control tests using the cultivars Royal Giant and Fantasia, showed that 4 insecticide sprays during blossom, partially reduced the density of nymphs and adults. In insecticide treated and untreated plots of Fantasia nectarinas 7 and 35 per cent of fruits were rejected because of thrips damage respectively.