Selection of insectary plants for the conservation of biological control agents of aphids and thrips in fruit orchards

Abstract This study evaluated the potential of flowering plant species naturally occurring to promote conservation and early establishment key natural enemies aphids thrips in apple peach orchards. Flowering plants present North East Spain, a main fruit production area Europe, were sampled determine their period identify on each species. Thirty-six found blooming from March late May provided an array flowers that might ensure food resources for enemies. Among them, six – Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav., Cardaria draba Desv., Euphorbia serrata S.G. Gmel., Malva sylvestris L., Anacyclus clavatus (Desf.) Pers. Diplotaxis erucoides DC. hosted high diversity thrips. Their started season lasted several sampling weeks they widely distributed. Moreover, had available nectar even those with protected nectaries. Therefore, these can be considered as promising candidates inclusion ecological infrastructure designed orchards biological control agents