According to UF/IFAS, Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations continue to swing back and forth across the South Florida region. While flower thrips are the predominant species north of Miami-Dade, a few locations still are reporting ABT at the dominant species.
ABT populations ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 per bloom in southeastern Hendry County. Populations were reduced where records of 10 ABT per bloom were previously located to 0.1 to 1.1 per bloom. A change in the user’s pesticide program to include 5 modes of action multiple sprays per week is likely the reason for the population drop.
ABT populations ranged from 0.0 to 2.0 ABT per bloom at bloom and early pod development stages in northeastern Hendry County. Hotspots were reported in central Hendry County, where populations ranged from 0.1 to 1.6 ABT per bud or bloom.
Populations increased to 1.0 to 2.0 ABT per bloom or 1.0 to 5.0 ABT per plant in eastern Palm Beach County. A few hotspots remain in western and northwestern Palm Beach County, with reports of 1.0 to 2.0 ABT per bloom.
Snap bean plantings are still young in southern Martin County, so ABT was not reported. Beans were harvested, and young peas were not yet scouted in northern Collier County.
Some damage information has now been collected and is reported here: Preliminary Scouting and Damage Data.