Asian bean thrip (ABT) populations have increased in recent weeks Homestead, Florida and have been at thresholds since the beginning of the growing season. Intensive insecticide programs are needed to minimize losses, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
In other areas, though, populations are very low. No more than one Asian bean thrip was found at five locations last week with a rate of 0.2 per trap per week. Populations in western Hendry County were less than 0.1 ABT per bloom. They were not detected via scouting at other locations.
It is not recommended to apply insecticides targeting ABT in areas with low populations.
Click here for previous scouting reports.