Abstract
The species complex and infestations of aphids on peach trees (Prunus persica) in Bulgaria were investigated during the period 2013-2017. Eight species from the Aphididae family were found: Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae, Sulzer), Peach-clematis aphid (Myzus varians, Davidson), Black peach aphid (Brachycaudus persicae, Passerini), Peach aphid (Brachycaudus schwartzi, Börner), Almond aphid (Brachycaudus amygdalinus, Schouteden), Mealy peach aphid (Hyalopterus amygdali, Blanchard), Waterlily aphid (Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae, Linnaeus) and Peach trunk aphid (Pterochloroides persicae, Cholodkovsky).
Myzus persicae and Peach-clematis aphid Myzus varians were of the greatest importance as pests due to their wide distribution and high population density. The former was more widely spread in South Bulgaria, while the attack of the latter was almost even across the country. The recently reported species Brachycaudus schwartzi is already distributed throughout the country. The species has a higher density in the southern part of the country, in regions where peach trees are grown. Hyalopterus amygdali also occurs mainly in the southern part of the country and cоuld be a dangerous pest in infested orchards. The rest of the species occur more rarely and in low density thus being of no importance as pests in peach orchards.
Keywords: peach aphid, Myzus, Brachycaudus, distribution, infestation