Phytophagous Entomofauna of Tomato, Paprika and Eggplant Occurring on Plantations in Poland in 1919-2010

In Poland, in the years 1919-2010, in field crops of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) there were found 52 phytophagous species belonging to 6 orders of insects: Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera. The number of pest species occurring on the different crops was: tomato - 39, paprika - 41, eggplant - 27.

The presented phytophagous entomofauna proved to be stable in terms of species composition over the years of observations. However, there was a significant variation in population size, which was subject to considerable fluctuations in successive growing seasons.

The dominant species posing a threat to plantations every year included: for tomato: Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), soil pests: cutworm (Agrotis sp), wireworms (Agriotes sp) and white grubs (Melolontha sp); for paprika: onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), bugs (Lygus sp.); for eggplant: green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineatas), onion thrips (Thrips tabaci).