Control of Western Flower Thrips Through Integrated Pest Management in Tomato and Pepper Presented by: Dr. Charles Mellinger, Glades Crop Care, Inc. August 29, 2008

IPM of Western Flower Thrips my discussion points 1. Vector of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) 2. Current infestation areas of thrips & TSWV 3. IPM Correct identification required for correct response Economic thresholds with and without TSWV Control measures Resistance management Preventative practices

2. Current Situation - Thrips & TSWV TSWV reservoirs—inadequate knowledge Positive TSWV Identification in: Tampa area peppers & ornamentals Homestead tomatoes Emilia Georgia Transplants Summary – very little at this point compared to Southeastern U.S.

TSWV Symptoms

Emilia with TSWV Symptoms

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 and moving New large populations of WFT-east coast Significant population of other important thrips Summary – thrips are becoming very important in South Florida crops 2006 - Present

Thrips palmi F. occidentalis F. fusca F. tritici F. bispinosa

3. IPM Correct identification of thrips’ genus/species required for correct response Economic thresholds are different Chemical control choices are different No pyrethroids Rotation and resistance management are different

Insecticide Treatment for WFT Larvae Control in Spring Tomatoes Dr. Tom Kuhar – VA Eastern Shore

WFT Adults & Minute Pirate Bugs (MPB) Collected from Pepper Blooms Ft WFT Adults & Minute Pirate Bugs (MPB) Collected from Pepper Blooms Ft. Pierce, FL, Spring 2007 May Untreated check Pyrethroid Intrepid WFT MPB 8 48 5 94 4 83 10 82 136 78 14 54 12 148 2 30 11 16 64 245 144 6 21 86 147 1 60 3 23 50 251 77 29 79 182 34

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—few varieties in pepper to TSWV Reflective mulch---reduced #’s and incidence Adjacent grower notifications Conservation of the Thrips predator—The Minute Pirate Bug—Orius insidiosus

Minute Pirate Bug (MPB) Orius insidiosus Larva Adult

in pepper for thrips control: more Orius, Sunflowers in pepper for thrips control: more Orius, fewer thrips

Orius density in field without sunflower Gray: <0.01-0.05 Green: 0.05-0.1 Blue: 0.1-0.5 Red: >0.5 Orius per pepper flower

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

Gray: <1-5 Green: 5-15 Blue: 15-30 Red: >30 Thrips density in field without sunflower Gray: <1-5 Green: 5-15 Blue: 15-30 Red: >30 Thrips per flower

Gray: <1-5 Green: 5-15 Blue: 15-30 Red: >30 Thrips density in field with sunflower Gray: <1-5 Green: 5-15 Blue: 15-30 Red: >30 Thrips per flower

Summary WFT expanding in South Florida WFT excellent vector of TSWV Augment pepper crop with sunflower Few WFT Pesticide controls Must ID thrips population for correct response Must scout for correct response