Image from IPM NCSU
Over
the past week, I have received reports and seen high population of thrips on
horticultural crops. To the point, they are biting workers and are believed to
be chiggers.
As
many of you know, thrips can transfer viruses as well as cause commodities to
be unmarketable due to incurred damage.
I
have included link to documents to manage thrips in the various crops that are
grown in the Pasco-Hernando-Citrus-Sumter area. Please make sure you read the
label on any product you intend to use. The label is the law!
Ornamental
Crops – Thrips Management from MREC - https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/DOCUMENTS/ThripsManagementProgram-February%202011-FINAL.pdf
Blueberries
– I contacted Dr. Liburd. He recommended the following products and ROTATION:
Delegate (Spinetoram) and Assail (Acetamiprid), and Malathion (diethyl
mercaptosuccinate). You should not use any products more than two times in a
row and repeat applications every 10-14 days. More information on insecticides
labeled for blueberries can be found on the UF-IFAS Blueberry Insect IPM Guide
at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS38000.pdf.
More information about monitoring for thrips in Southern High Bush Blueberries can be found at the following link: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in637.
Nectarines/Peaches
– Nectarines are very susceptible to thrips damage. Russetting typically occurs
around bloom (yes, we are way beyond that, but populations that I have seen are
high). On peaches, silvering (damage) may occur as the red blush develops.
SpinTor (spinosad) or Delegate (spinetoram) must be rotated with other
insecticides as both of these are from the same chemical class. Danitol
(Fenpropathrin) is a broad spectrum insecticide and will reduce your beneficial
as well as target pests. Read the label to ensure you are choosing a
product that has a PHI that meets your needs. More information on
insecticides labeled for stonefruits can be found at the Southeast Stonefruit
Pest Management Guide (http://www.ent.uga.edu/peach/peachguide.pdf)
or UF-IFAS Peach Insect IPM Guide at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig075.
Vegetables
– Please consult the correct commodity chapter in the Vegetable Production
Guide, which can be found here: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vph.
Thrips
readily develop resistance to insecticides so it is VERY important that
chemical classes are ROTATED.
If
you need monitoring tools for thrips (i.e. hand lens and sticky cards), please
let me know. I have a small supply of these items available.
