Thrips pressure is intensifying across certain areas of southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline.
Populations are increasing across pepper fields from low to high levels in Southwest Florida. Some reports have indicated moderate to high levels of Florida flower thrips.
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) commercial vegetable Extension agent Anna Meszaros reported an increase in levels of Florida flower thrips in late-planted snap bean along the east coast. Western flower thrips levels vary among locations, reaching high levels in some bell pepper fields near ornamental nurseries.
High populations of Asian bean thrips were observed in an isolated late planted bean field.
In Homestead, melon thrips were found at moderate levels in bean, squash and eggplant, though low in pepper, says Dak Sheal, UF/IFAS entomologist. Asian bean thrips levels were low in squash, eggplant and pepper, though moderate in beans and edamame.