According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, thrips pressure is being observed at high populations in Homestead, Florida.
Dakshina Seal, entomologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Tropical Research and Education Center, has observed high population levels of melon thrips and Asian bean thrips on beans, cucumber and eggplant.
Overall populations are low in Southwest Florida, though scouts have identified T. parvispinus, melon thrips and chili thrips causing leaf damage in peppers recently.
Low to medium population levels are noticed on the east coast, with T. parvispinus remaining the species of concern in the area.
Population levels of chili thrips are reported to be decreasing in recent weeks in Central Florida.
UF/IFAS reminds producers that when encountering thrips, it is essential follow certain recommendations:
- Cultural practices can be effective in reducing thrips. Reflective plastic mulch on field margins can repel the virus-carrying thrips. Growers should also avoid planting tomato within 1,000 feet of an ornamental nursery, since ornamental plants are hosts to flower thrips.
- Do not use insecticides unless you are sure about the pest status of the thrips on your crop. Get thrips identified by an Extension agent, scout or researcher.
- Scout fields regularly to confirm the level of infestation. If population is below threshold levels, use softer products to reduce impact on beneficials.