ORDER Thysanoptera IN ALFALFA GROWN FOR FORAGE

The objective of the present study was to determine species composition and seasonal dynamics of main thrips in alfalfa grown for forage. The method of sweeping with entomological net was used. The harvest of the regrowth was made in flowering stage. It was found 13 species from 3 families and 9 genera, which belong to the order Thysanoptera. The harmful species occupied 54.0% of the total number of species, and predatory species – 44.0%. Main pests were dominant species Thrips tabaci with 37.4% participation, followed by subdominant species T. atratus - 9.7%. The predatory thrips were represented mainly by the dominant species Aeolothrips intermedius (43.8% participation). The highest density of T. tabaci was found in second regrowth from the second half of May to the second half of June with a maximum value in the first ten days of June at the button and the beginning of flowering stages. Aeolothrips intermedius had a high number in the second regrowth in the button and flowering stages. The maximum number was found in the second decade of June in flowering stage. It could play a considerable role as a bioagent. The determination of the population dynamics of economically important pest species of the order Thysanoptera in the alfalfa grown for forage determines the most appropriate time to their control and management.