Control of Western Flower Thrips Through Integrated Pest Management Presented by: Dr. Charles Mellin

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Control of Western Flower Thrips Through
Integrated Pest Management Presented by Dr.
Charles Mellinger, Glades Crop Care, Inc.May 1,
2007
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Recognition for Data Collection and Preparation

• Galen Frantz, Glades Crop Care
• Leon Lucas, Glades Crop Care
• Felicia Parks, Glades Crop Care
• Kim Burman, Glades Crop Care
• Jerry Brust, University of Maryland

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IPM of Western Flower Thrips

• 1. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) info
• 2. Current situation of thrips TSWV?
• 3. IPM
• Correct identification required for correct
  response
• Economic thresholds with and without TSWV
• Control measures
• Resistance management
• Preventative practices

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1. Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Info

• Why discuss this vectored by WFT infected
  plants produce no yield
• Over 837 plant species infected/110 plant
  families
• Pepper, tomato, peanuts, tobacco
• Vectored by
• Western Flower Thrips
• Tobacco Thrips
• Melon Thrips
• Onion Thrips
• Yellow Flower thrips (F. schultzei)

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TSWV Symptoms
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2. Current Situation - Thrips TSWV

• TSWV - Mostly not clear
• Positive TSWV Identification in
• Tampa area peppers ornamentals
• Homestead tomatoes
• Emilia
• Georgia Transplants
• Summary very little at this point compared to
  Southeastern U.S.

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Emilia with TSWV Symptoms
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2. Current Situation - Thrips in South Florida
1985 - 2005

• Historically only Florida flower thrips
• Recently small pockets of Western flower thrips
• Homestead adjacent areas with Thrips palmi
• Populations changing
• New large populations of WFT
• Significant population of other important thrips
• Summary thrips are becoming very important in
  South Florida crops

2006 - Present
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Thrips palmi
F. occidentalis
F. fusca
F. tritici
F. bispinosa
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Dade CountyPepper Farms Thrips Averages
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3. IPM - Correct identification of genus/species
required for correct response

• Economic thresholds are different
• Chemical control choices are different
• Rotation and resistance management are different

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3. IPM - Economic Thresholds
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3. IPM Control Measures

• FL Flower Thrips
• Many choices
• Western Flower Thrips
• Very few choices
• Thrips palmi
• Very few choices

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3. IPM Resistance Management

• Rotate chemical classes
• Follow Label
• Apply only at or over threshold
• Therefore need accurate bloom counts

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3. IPM-Preventive Practices

• Monitoring
• Pre-planting weeds and surrounding fallow
• During crop production
• During crop and post crop destruct - Impact on
  adjacent crops and fields
• Varietal resistance---none in pepper to TSWV
• Reflective mulch---reduced s and incidence
• Adjacent grower notifications
• Conservation of Thrips predatorsThe Minute
  Pirate BugOrius insidiosus

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Orius insidiosus
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Using sunflowers as companion plantings in
pepper for thrips control
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Decreasing density of Orius
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Orius density in field without sunflower
Gray 0.1-0.5 Red 0.5 Orius per pepper flower
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Orius density in field with sunflower
Gray 0.01-0.05 Green 0.05-0.1 Blue 0.1-0.5
Red 0.5 Orius per pepper flower
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Thrips density in field without sunflower
Gray 30
Thrips per flower
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Thrips density in field with sunflower
Gray 30 Thrips per flower
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Summary

• WFT expanding in South Florida
• WFT excellent vector of TSWV
• Few WFT controls
• Must ID thrips population for correct response
• Must scout for correct response