Managing Thrips Parvispinus: New Research on Cultural and Biological Control
Over the past few years, Thrips parvispinus has emerged as a serious threat to ornamental greenhouse crops across North America. First reported in Florida in 2020 on Hoya and Anthurium, this invasive thrips has now been detected in greenhouse ornamentals, peppers, and landscape plants in the southeastern U.S., and more recently in Ontario. While it can’t survive winters outdoors in Canada and parts of the northern U.S., its wide host range—including Mandevilla, Dipladenia, Schefflera, Ficus, and peppers—means it has the potential to cause significant damage wherever susceptible crops are grown. Thrips parvispinus male (left) and female (right) Growers have reported stunted growth, leaf streaking, and floral damage that reduce crop quality and marketability. Complicating matters, T. parvispinus is suspected of…