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Research Project: Exotic Whitefly Pests of Vegetables and Ornamental Plants

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Title: Thrips management program for horticultural crops

Author
item KUMAR, VIVEK - University Of Florida
item KAKKAR, GARIMA - University Of Florida
item PALMER, CRISTI - Rutgers University
item McKenzie, Cindy
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2016
Publication Date: 11/10/2016
Citation: Kumar, V., Kakkar, G., Palmer, C., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2016. Thrips management program for horticultural crops. Extension Publications. EDIS#987, https://doi.org/entnemdept.ufl.edu/Creatures/ORN.

Interpretive Summary: Among 5500 (or more) well described species of thrips worldwide, nearly 1 percent are known as economically important pests. Owing to their polyphagous nature and damage potential to nursery and greenhouse production, they inflict millions of dollars loss annually. Thrips can reduce yield and/or the aesthetic or economic value of the plants directly by using them as food and oviposition site, and indirectly by transmitting plant damaging viruses. Their infestation can greatly impact regional and international trade of plant materials and products due to the quarantine risks and damage associated with several species in the order. This extension article presents a management program for key thrips pests including western flower thrips, chilli thrips and a few other thrips species known to damage several crops of economic importance in the United States.

Technical Abstract: This article presents a systems approach for managing key thrips pests including western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) known to cause millions of dollars loss annually. Thrips small size (1-2 mm), thigmotactic behavior, high reproductive rate and ability to survive in a wide range of climatic conditions help explain their high propagule pressure and representation on invasive pest lists of many countries. Apart from causing feeding damage to their hosts, multiple species of thrips can transmit plant damaging viruses. Western flower thrips which vectors impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), has recently been associated with transmission of groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV) and tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) in Florida. Chilli thrips is a known vector of peanut bud necrosis virus (GBNV), groundnut yellow spot virus (GYSV), and groundnut chlorotic fan-spot virus (GCFSV) in different parts of the world, however in the United States, no reports of chilli thrips mediated diseases transmission has surfaced yet. In the purview of recent reports of chilli thrips invasion in the rose productions of California, it is extremely important to take appropriate measures for ensuring minimum economic damage to our growers due to this pest.