By Clint Thompson Georgia blueberry producers have viable insecticide options to protect their crop against chilli thrips. They just has to be applied more than once, says Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist. “We do have some (options) but they need to be repeated because of the way these chilli thrips, their life cycles work. It’s really hard to …
Chilli Thrips Impact Blueberries Post-Harvest
By Clint Thompson Blueberry growers managing the threat of chilli thrips are protecting next year’s crop. That’s because the insect’s impact is usually seen after harvests have concluded. That’s part of the message that Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist, conveyed to producers about the threat of chilli thrips during a presentation at the 2026 Annual Blueberry Update in …
Chilli Thrips Update for Georgia Blueberry Producers
By Clint Thompson The fear of the unknown is what makes chilli thrips a dangerous threat to Georgia blueberries. Chilli thrips were first confirmed in Georgia four years ago and have been observed in multiple counties since then, though Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist, believes the list of counties is much larger. Sial highlighted chilli thrips and their …
Two UF/IFAS-Bred Strawberries Better at Resisting Chilli Thrips
Chilli thrips plague farmers worldwide, but new research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has found two strawberry varieties that show less harm from these pests. The finding comes through research funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch program. That’s encouraging news for growers in …
Chilli Thrips’ Threat to Georgia Blueberries
By Clint Thompson One year ago, Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist, reported that chilli thrips were the most serious emerging issue impacting the state’s blueberry crop. Not much has changed in a year’s time, unfortunately. “We are really scared of chilli thrips based on what we hear from Florida and blueberry grower experiences. What we hear from Florida …
Earlier the Better: Chilli Thrips Most Vulnerable Early in Strawberry Season
By Clint Thompson Chilli thrips were as challenging as they have ever been in Florida strawberries. According to Sriyanka Lahiri, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, the insect pests were especially tough on strawberries planted in early fall. “This season was particularly tough …
Chilli Thrips Control: UF/IFAS Study Shows How Strawberry Growers Can Use Less Pesticides
Florida strawberry growers can use less pesticide and save money as they attempt to control chilli thrips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows. An invasive pest in the southeastern United States, chilli thrips was introduced to the United States from Southeast Asia. The first report in Florida came in 1991 in Okeechobee County and …
Chilli Thrips Emerging Pest to Georgia Blueberries
By Clint Thompson Chilli thrips are emerging as a serious threat to blueberry production in Georgia. Ash Sial, University of Georgia entomologist, discussed the pest with AgNet Media at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. “It is the most emerging issue. Our key issue is spotted wing drosophila, but thrips are becoming as complex; one of …
Chilli Thrips an Early-Season Problem for Florida Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson It would not be a strawberry season in South Florida if chilli thrips were not a nuisance for growers. But that appears to be the case again, according to one producer. “This year it seems like they’re moving into fields earlier,” said Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We’ve already put some sprays out …
Chilli Thrips: Primary Pest of Florida Blueberries
By Oscar Liburd and Doug Phillips Over the past few years, chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) have become the most important insect pest of Florida blueberries, causing substantial injury to plant foliage and typically requiring significant and costly chemical control measures. Chilli thrips have been an economically important pest of vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops throughout Asia, Africa, Oceania the Caribbean …


















