Thrips pressure is increasing in Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline.
Credit: Garima Kakkar, UF/IFAS
The tiny insects have increased quickly to high levels in central Florida. Juveniles and adults are being observed on blooms and apical meristems of pepper. Damage is low but should increase throughout the season. Thrips are also being reported in cucumbers.
Thrips pressure levels range from moderate to high in southwest Florida and have increased substantially in pepper, eggplant and watermelons. Melon thrips are impacting eggplant and pepper, with some fruit showing fruit scarring. Florida flower thrips continue to be the dominant species.
Thrips pressure is high in snap beans around the Everglades Agricultural Area. It is due to a mix of western flower thrips and Florida flower thrips. The red node virus has also been reported in multiple plantings.
Western flower thrips, Asian bean thrips (ABT) and melon thrips remain the dominant species in beans in the Miami-Dade County area. High levels of ABT can deform pods and lead to bud drop. Florida flower thrips populations are on the rise in all crops. Western flower thrips were abundant in tomato.
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