Improving Thrips Control Through Better Monitoring and Timing of Pesticide Applications
Dr. Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont, $15,000
2006 Annual Progress Report
Industry Needs Addressed.
Western flower thrips (WFT) are major pests of greenhouse ornamental crops. Substantial economic losses can result from foliar and flower feeding or virus vectoring, such as INSV and TSWV, from WFT. Few compounds are available for WFT management therefore increasing the need for the use of natural enemies and increased pesticide efficacy. When growers have the ability to detect WFT early, before they reach damaging levels, they have greater potential to use biological controls successfully and higher quality plant material of greater value is produced. Knowledge of WFT daily activity patterns enables growers to apply pesticides more efficiently, reducing the need for multiple routine applications. This project will provide new information for greenhouse growers about how best to detect and treat WFT early, which will improve the effectiveness of biocontrols, reduce excessive use of active compounds which will preserve their efficacy, and minimize human and environmental health risks from chemical pesticides.
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