EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COLORS OF MULCHING ON THE INCIDENCE AND DAMAGE OF THRIPS, Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom), IN THE TOMATO CROP. The tomato thrips, is among the main pests of the tomato crop, causing serious economic losses. The damages are due to thrips feeding, causing lesions and transmitting the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), known as "tomato spotted head turner", causing a high cost in the control and developing resistance to insecticides, due to the need of sequential spraying. The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of ultraviolet rays reflected from different types of mulching materials used in tomato crops on thrips under field conditions.