Abstract
Thrips are one of the main agricultural pests of the Hass avocado crop. Because of their herbivory and oviposition, thrips damage buds, flowers and fruits, causing both yield and quality losses. In Veracruz orchards significant damage associated with these insects has been previously detected; however, there are species identification, and their population fluctuation stills unknown. The identification of species and their seasonality is important to design appropriate management strategies. In this study, thrips populations were surveyed during two flowering cycles in two Hass avocado orchards located in the central mountainous area of the state of Veracruz. For 20 months, collections with the spray drag technique with soap solution using a specialized device were made in buds and inflorescences. 27 species of thrips belonging to 16 genera (ten phytophagous and six predatory) were identified. Frankliniella gardeniae was the most abundant species in the two orchards studied with more than 75% of the relative abundance and its population peaks were recorded during the flowering and fruit setting season. It is possible that F. gardeniae is related to fruits damage, as it occurs in avocado crops in South America.