Species composition of harmful entomocomplex in peach orchards of southern ukraine

Studies of the dynamics of changes in the species composition of pests in fruit orchards in the context of climate change became especially relevant. Monitoring of phytophagous insects in gardens with the isolation of dominant species is a key component for building an effective system of protection of perennial plantings. The study was conducted in 2018-2020 on the basis of the Melitopol Experimental Station of Horticulture named after M.F. Sidorenko IS NAAS. The purpose of the study was to establish the species composition of phytophages and the level of their colonisation of peach orchards to optimise measures to protect this crop from pest damage. Conducting route and detailed surveys in different phases of tree development (swelling of buds, pink bud, flowering, end of flowering, forming, growth and ripening of fruits) showed that the entomocenosis of peach orchards consisted of 15 species of phytophagous insects belonging to 4 orders, 10 families, and 2 species of mites. The species composition and level of pest colonisation of peach orchards changed under the influence of weather conditions and protection measures. Lepidoptera insects were represented by 7 species of pests, among which the main carpophages were Grapholitha molesta Busck., to a lesser extent Anarsia lineatella. The attack density of these pests each year was at a high and medium level, respectively. Throughout all the years of study most harmful of insects from the order Coleoptera was polyphagous Epicometis hirta. The main Homoptera pest in 2018 was Quadraspidiotus perniciosus Comst., while the prevalence of other catfacing insects was weak. During the vegetation periods of 2019-2020 the development of insects such as aphids and increase in the colonisation of leaves by mites, Thrips fuscipennis Haliche and Typhlocyba rosae L. was recorded in peach orchards