1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. TSWV Symptoms

5. Emilia with TSWV Symptoms

6. 2. Current Situation - Thrips in South Florida
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
Present

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Minute Pirate Bug (MPB)
Orius insidiosus
Larva
Adult

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

14. Orius density in field without sunflower
Gray: < Green: Blue: Red: >0.5
Orius per pepper flower

15. Orius density in field with sunflower
Gray: Green: Blue: Red: >0.5
Orius per pepper flower

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

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

20. 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