Chilli thrips rose management using an Amblyseius swirskii or Amblydromalus limonicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) pepper banker plant

Authors: SCHOLLER, E - University Of Florida; McKenzie, Cindy; OSBORNE, L - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2022
Publication Date: 8/8/2022
Citation: Scholler, E., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L. 2022. Chilli thrips rose management using an Amblyseius swirskii or Amblydromalus limonicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) pepper banker plant. Journal of Applied Entomology. 00:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13066.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13066

Interpretive Summary: Banker plant systems are an effective tool for enhancing the biological control of arthropod pests in protected culture by providing beneficial organisms with a reliable habitat and source of food. Chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) is highly polyphagous, with over 250 species within 70 families of plants reported as hosts, many of which are economically important such as roses. Chilli thrips has emerged as a serious pest in the United States since it first became established in Florida in 2005 and subsequently has established in Texas, Louisiana, and California. The utility of an ornamental pepper banker plant system for the control of the chilli thrips on Double Knock Out® roses was tested under greenhouse conditions using the predatory phytoseiid mites Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman and McGregor). By the end of the six-week study, both mite species had successfully reduced populations of chilli thrips on roses down to nearly undetectable levels compared to the predator-free controls. There was no difference however, in the level of control achieved between the two mite species. As a result of the lower chilli thrips numbers observed, the degree of thrips feeding-induced foliar damage of roses was also significantly lower in plants treated with mites. The findings of this study will provide rose growers a new management option for controlling chilli thrips using ornamental banker plants and potentially other major pests by facilitating the establishment of predatory mites on roses, a typically unsuitable host.

Technical Abstract: Banker plant systems are an effective tool for enhancing the biological control of arthropod pests in protected culture by providing beneficial organisms with a reliable habitat and source of food. The utility of an ornamental pepper banker plant system for the control of the chilli thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood on Double Knock Out® roses was tested under greenhouse conditions using the predatory phytoseiid mites Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman and McGregor). By the end of the six-week study, both mite species had successfully reduced populations of Scirtothrips dorsalis on roses down to nearly undetectable levels compared to the predator-free controls. There was no difference however, in the level of control achieved between the two mite species. As a result of the lower Scirtothrips dorsalis numbers observed, the degree of Scirtothrips dorsalis feeding-induced foliar damage of roses was also significantly lower in plants treated with mites. The findings of this study will provide rose growers a new management option for controlling Scirtothrips dorsalis and potentially other major pests by facilitating the establishment of mites on roses, a typically unsuitable host.