Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Thrips damage and control strategies

Ajay Nair
Department of Horticulture
Iowa State University


Thrips are very small, slender insects that are common in greenhouses at this time of the year when growers are gearing up to grow transplants. Thrips can cause damage with their feeding, which distorts plant growth, deforms flowers, and causes white-to-silvery patches on leaves (figure below). regular, frequent, and thorough scouting is important to keep a tab on this pest. Use sticky cards and hand lens to trap and properly identify the insect. 





One can use products that have low toxicity such as azadirachtin (Neem-based products, BioNeem), insecticidal soaps (Safer), horticultural Oil, or neem oil (Safe Brand Neem Oil). Biological control is very effective if the infestation is detected early. Biological control includes Predatory mites (Typhlodromips montdorensis, Amblyseius cucumeris, Amblyseius swirskii, Eurseius ovalis) and predatory bugs (Orius laevigatus, Orius majusculus and Orius insidiosus)

Stronger synthetic insecticides such as neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, and organophosphates should be used if the infestation is heavy. 

1 comment:

  1. Thrips damages pants in a very core way ,we have to learn about how can we prevent from Thrips and protect our plants from diseases

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