Thrips Management Research Articles

Comparative Bio Assay of New Generation Insecticides against Invasive Southeast Asian Thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thripidae:Thysanoptera)

Aims: Management of invasive southeast Asian thrips, Thrips parvispinus under laboratory conditions. Study Design: Completely Randomized Design. Place and Duration of Study: Regional Agricultural Research Station, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh during 2023. Methodology: Bio assays study was conducted with eleven insecticides for the Management of Thrips parvispinus under laboratory conditions following leaf dip method replicated thrice. Mortality and corrected mortality were assessed at 24 and 48 hours after treatment imposition by counting the number of dead and live adults. Results: Bio assay study revealed that the insecticide broflanilide 300 DC @ 64.0 ml/ha recorded significant high percent mortality of 93.3 at 48 hours after exposure. The insecticides fluxametamide 10 EC @ 400 ml/ha, tolfenpyrad 15 EC@ 1000 ml/ha, spinoterom 11.7 SC @ 500 ml/ ha and fipronil 5 SC @1000 ml/ha were at par with broflanilide 300 DC with 90.0, 90.0, 86.7 and 86.7 percent mortality, respectively. Lowest mortality of 6.0 percent was observed in untreated control where the leaves were agitated in distilled water. The corrected mortality was calculated and the insecticides broflanilide 300 DC (92.59 %), fluxametamide 10 EC (88.9), tolfenpyrad 15 EC (89.3), spinetoram 11.7 SC (85.9) and fipronil 5 SC @400 ml/acre (85.2) recorded high corrected mortality at 48 hours of post treatment.

Synergistic Strategies for the Management of Thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis in Pomegranate Ecosystem

Thrips management in pomegranate cultivation is critical due to the significant damage these pests can inflict on fruit yield and quality. The study was carried out in farmers field at Managuli, Vijayapura, College of Agriculture, Vijayapura, Karnataka during 2020-2021. The integrated management of thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis in pomegranate revealed that the in-situ vermiculture technique along with chemicals (86.93 per cent) and botanicals (59.40 %) found to be more effective in controlling thrips than in-situ vermiculture technique alone (39.22 %). It also revealed that in-situ vermiculture technique influencing only 2-5 % pest reduction along with chemical insecticides. Whereas, in-situ vermiculture technique along with botanical influencing 15-20 % pest reduction and it mainly due to compatibility and positive effect of botanicals on earthworms than chemicals. However, all the treatments recorded higher yield and found significantly superior over untreated control (5.34 t/ha). By integrating these methods, pomegranate growers can achieve effective thrips control, leading to healthier crops, improved yields while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and minimizing environmental impact.

Scientific validation of plant extracts used by farmers in the management of bean flower thrips on French beans in Kenya

AbstractBean flower thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus) is a major French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) pest. Small‐scale farmers manage the pest using mixed plant extracts although their efficacy has not been scientifically validated. We evaluated the efficacy of mixed plant extracts comprising; Capsicum frutescens, Allium sativum, Lantana camara, Tagetes minuta and Azadirachta indica, against M. usitatus under laboratory and screenhouse. We identified and quantified the secondary metabolites associated with insecticidal activity using spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The plant combinations included PE1 (C. frutescens + A. sativum + L. camara + T. minuta extracts infused for 14 days), PE2 (same as PE1 but infused for 24 h) and PE + N (the five plant extracts infused for 24 h) in distilled water. We used an organic commercial botanical (Pyneem) as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. Pyneem and PE + N induced the highest mortality at 88% and 77%, respectively, in the laboratory, and 68% and 71%, respectively, in the screenhouse. Phenolics, terpenoids and organosulfur compounds were identified in PE + N and individual plant extracts in varied quantities. These compounds were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in PE + N compared to individual plant extracts. The study showed that PE + N efficiently manages bean flower thrips, and mixing different plant extracts amplifies the secondary metabolites' abundance. The use of mixed plant extracts could be incorporated into integrated pest management strategies for thrips management in legumes. The specific compounds identified in PE + N should be investigated further to understand their modes of action against the pest.

Management of mites and thrips in capsicum under polyhouse through front line demonstration in Bengaluru rural district, Karnataka, India

Management of mites and thrips in capsicum under polyhouse through front line demonstration in Bengaluru rural district, Karnataka, India

Phytotoxic effect and efficacy of chemical insecticides used for management of mulberry thrips on natural enemy (Coccinellid) population

Phytotoxic effect and efficacy of chemical insecticides used for management of mulberry thrips on natural enemy (Coccinellid) population

Efficacy of Bioinsecticides, Synthetic Insecticides, Macro and Micronutrients for the Management of Onion Thrips, Thrips tabaci in Onion: a Field Trial

Efficacy of Bioinsecticides, Synthetic Insecticides, Macro and Micronutrients for the Management of Onion Thrips, Thrips tabaci in Onion: a Field Trial

Mixture of Synthetic Plant Volatiles Attracts More Stick Tea Thrips Dendrothrips minowai Priesner (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and the Application as an Attractant in Tea Plantations.

The stick tea thrip (Dendrothrips minowai) is one of the most serious sucking pests of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) in China, North Korea, and Japan. Plant volatile lures are widely used for both monitoring and mass trapping. Previously, we demonstrated that sticky traps baited with p-anisaldehyde, eugenol, farnesene, or 3-methyl butanal captured significantly more D. minowai in tea plantations, with p-anisaldehyde notably capturing the most. In this study, we showed that D. minowai adults exhibited significantly higher attraction to mixtures of p-anisaldehyde, eugenol, and farnesene compared to an equivalent dose of p-anisaldehyde alone in H-tube olfactometer assays under laboratory conditions. Moreover, in field experiments conducted in 2022, rubber septa impregnated with a ternary blend of p-anisaldehyde, eugenol, and farnesene (at 3-4.5 mg and a ratio of 3:1:1) captured the highest number of adults on sticky traps, outperforming traps bailed with individual components or a solvent control over two weeks. Significantly, the mass trapping strategy employing these lures achieved control efficacies ranging from 62.8% to 70.7% when compared to traps without attractant, which achieved control efficacies of only 14.2% to 35.4% across three test sites in 2023. These results indicate that the combination of p-anisaldehyde, eugenol, and farnesene exhibits an additive or synergistic effect on D. minowai. In conclusion, our findings establish a theoretical framework and provide practical technological support for integrating attractant-based strategies into comprehensive thrips management strategies.

Field efficacy of a biopesticide and a predatory mite for suppression of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in strawberry.

Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) has emerged as a severe invasive pest of strawberry Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne in the United States. The objective of this study was to assess the field efficacy of a biopesticide and thrips predator, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot for S. dorsalis management in field grown strawberry compared to synthetic insecticide applications that are current industry standard (spinetoram) conducted at UF/IFAS GCREC, FL during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 in a 2-year field study. The following treatments were applied in the field: (1) biopesticide, capsicum oleoresin extract + garlic oil + canola oil application at maximum label rate; (2) predatory mite of thrips, A. swirskii released at 30 predators per plot; (3) spinetoram applied at maximum label rate; and (4) biopesticide applied 24 h before release of A. swirskii. A control plot with no insecticide or predatory mite releases was maintained. Results show that the capsicum extract can be used for management of S. dorsalis, especially during the latter stages of strawberry field season when resistance to spinetoram is high. The field performance of A. swirskii was variable and extensive research is needed to highlight factors affecting field performance of predatory mites for thrips management.

Effect of chemical insecticides used for management of mulberry thrips on leaf yield of mulberry

Effect of chemical insecticides used for management of mulberry thrips on leaf yield of mulberry

Prospects of indigenous fungi as novel biological control agents of thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, 1895) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in vivo

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important horticultural crop in Kenya. Its production is constrained by many factors, among them arthropod pests and diseases. In response, farmers rely on synthetic pesticides, which lead to contamination of the produce, pest resistance and pollution of the environment hence there is need to identify safer, affordable alternatives. Biological control is considered safe, self-sustaining and cost effective. This study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of indigenous fungi in managing Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis on tomato. Efficacy trials were conducted in farmer’s fields in Bungoma County, Kenya between March and November 2018. Treatments included fungal isolates Trichoderma harzianum, Gliocladium virens, Verticillium spp., Paeciliomyces victoriae and Fusarium oxysporum selected after in vitro screening. These were compared to commercial fungus Beauveria basssiana, a synthetic pesticide imidacloprid and untreated control. Treatments were replicated four times, arranged in a randomized complete block design. Data collected on population of thrips and the yield of tomatoes were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Means were separated using Student Newman-Keuls (SNK) test at p≤0.05. In the first season at Bukonoi, F. oxysporum significantly (p<0.05) recorded the least (38.1) mean number of thrips compared to the untreated control (89.2). At Cheptais, F. oxysporum and T. harzianum treated plots significantly (p<0.05) recorded the least mean number of thrips of 48.1 and 20.5 in the first and second season, respectively. Higher yields of 4.9 t ha-1 and 29.5 t ha-1 were obtained from plots treated with T. harzianum in the first and second season, respectively. The findings of this study demonstrated that F. oxysporum and T. harzianum have the potential to be developed as fungal biopesticides for management of thrips on tomato crop. However, large scale field trials are warranted to validate the effectiveness of these fungal isolates. Key words: Biopesticides, Frankliniella occidentalis, Fusarium oxysporum, Solanum lycopersicum, Trichoderma harzianum.

Thrips species occurring in red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., in South Norway

Aim of study: Thrips in raspberry crops are receiving attention in Scandinavian raspberry production because of the increasing sighting of their presence in the flowers. Specific information on thrips species occurring in raspberry and their damage potential is scarce, making thrips management challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to identify thrips in the flowers of cultivated raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., in South Norway. Area of study: Sogndal, Luster and Frogn, Southern Norway Material and methods: Adult thrips were sampled from eight commercial raspberry orchards in the counties Vestland and Viken in June-July 2022. Thrips were mounted using Hoyer’s medium and a total of 213 specimens were morphologically identified. Main results: Five species of thrips were found, Thrips fuscipennis Haliday, Thrips major Uzel, Thrips flavus Schrank, Thrips vulgatissimus Haliday and Thrips brevicornis Priesner. Most specimens were T. flavus, followed by T. fuscipennis and T. vulgatissimus. Research highlights: Among the five species found, only T. fuscipennis has previously been reported in cultivated raspberry, but all five species are associated with flowers of many plants. The findings imply a larger and more geographically varied thrips fauna on raspberry than currently documented. This should be taken into account in future studies on thrips management in raspberry.

Impact of chemical insecticides used for management of mulberry thrips on silkworm rearing performance

Impact of chemical insecticides used for management of mulberry thrips on silkworm rearing performance

Management of mulberry thrips through chemical insecticides

Management of mulberry thrips through chemical insecticides

Nts on the Incidence and Damage of Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta Nigripes) and Thrips (Megalurothrips Usitatus) on Mungbean

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments for the management of flea beetles and thrips of mungbean using BARI Mung-6 as experimental material. Nine treatments, viz., T1 = Use of White sticky trap, T2= Bioneem plus (Azadirachtin) 1%EC @ 1 ml/L of water at 40 DAS, T3 = Virtako (Chlorantraniliprole + Thiamethoxam) 40 WG @ 0.15g/L of water at 40 DAS, T4 = Amithrin plus 3% WDG @ 1 ml/L of water at 40 DAS, T5 = Ecomec (Abamectin) 1.8 EC @ 1 ml/L of water at 40 DAS, T6 = Nitro (Chlorpyriphos + Cypermethrin) 505 EC @ 1 ml/l of water at 40 DAS, T7 = Raise (Chlorantraniliprole) 20 SL @ 3 ml/L of water at 40 DAS and T8 = control were applied. Data were recorded on the number of flea beetles per plant, leaf area damaged by flea beetles, number of thrips-infested flowers per plant, and number of thrips per 20 opened flowers. Results revealed that the lowest number of flea beetles (3.00/m2 plants) and the highest percent reduction (64.71%) of flea beetle population over control were recorded in Virtako 80 WG at 0.15 g/L of water-treated plots. The lowest percent damage (3.75%) of leaf area and the highest percent reduction (79.73%) of leaf area damage over control were observed in Virtako-treated plots. The lowest number of thrips population (1.50/20 flowers), the highest percent of thrips population reduction (85.37%) over control, the lowest number of infested flowers (0.88/20 flowers) by thrips, and the highest percent reduction (88.65%) of flower infestation over control were found in mungbean plants treated with Raise 20 SL @ 3 ml/L of water. A strong negative correlation between the number of flea beetles and total yield was observed. There were negative relationships between the number of thrips, percent flower infestation, and total yield. Therefore, the application of Virtako 80 WG at 0.15 g/L and Raise (Chlorantraniliprole) 20 SL at 3 ml/L were found to be the best treatments for controlling flea beetles and thrips on mungbean. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 49(2): 225-235, December 2023

Decision‐making for thrips control in soybean fields using precision agriculture principles

AbstractIn precision agriculture, sub‐areas of fields with similar features are called management zones and the inputs applied similarly in these zones. Such notion of management zones is applicable to high‐output soybean fields where thrips are an emerging problem leading to losses up to 15%. Management zones are an agricultural management strategy that can be used for decision‐making for controlling thrips on soybean fields. Thus, a 2‐year study was carried out on commercial soybean fields aimed at developing a decision‐making system for controlling soybean thrips using management zones. Three control programmes were established and assessed: Cl‐conventional control with insecticide use in the entire field; IPM‐CS‐conventional sampling plan + spray upon reaching the economic injury level (EIL; 3.43 thrips/sample); and IPM‐MZ‐spraying only specific areas of the field where thrips density reached the EIL. The decision to control reached using the IPM‐CS and IPM‐MZ programmes was 3× lower than those of the CI, which incurred in 75% mode decision mistakes. Furthermore, the decision to spray insecticides based on analysis of data for Cl was also incorrect. In 8.5% (3.6% of treated and 4.9% of non‐treated) of the field, the decisions of the IPM‐CS programme were incorrect. The total cost of the Cl programme (US$ 11.4/ha) was higher than that of the IPM‐CS and IPM‐MZ programmes (US$ 3.2 ha−1). Therefore, owing to its technical, economic, and environmental advantages, the establishment of management zones seems worthy of incorporation in integrated thrips management decision‐making systems for soybean fields.

A Cost–Benefit Analysis of Novel IPM-Based Approaches to Onion Thrips Management in US Dry Bulb Onions

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci (Lindeman), is a major pest of dry bulb onion throughout the US and across the world. Yield and quality damage from thrips feeding and the expense of insecticides used for thrips management have jeopardized profitable and sustainable onion production. To improve approaches to thrips management, researchers in multiple US onion-producing regions developed novel, integrated pest management (IPM)-based strategies employing threshold-based insecticide treatments and reduced fertilization practices. The purpose of this study was to estimate the benefits from public investment in research to develop IPM-based onion thrips management techniques using a cost–benefit analysis. Benefits were extended over a 20-year timespan and were measured by reduced insecticide and fertilizer costs. The estimated net present value of benefits from improved pest management tactics will depend on the adoption and use of novel approaches to management. Using a scenario that assumes a maximum adoption rate of 58%, the estimated net present value of the research is $15.91 million, the benefit–cost ratio is 4.00, and the internal rate of return is 32%. Assuming a scenario with a maximum adoption rate of 29%, the estimated net present value of the research is $8.3 million, the benefit–cost ratio is 3.34, and the internal rate of return is 24%. Even when estimated assuming conservative adoption scenarios, results indicate a healthy return on investment in research to develop and refine new approaches to manage onion thrips and optimize dry bulb onion production.

Assessment of Trap Crops for Management of Thrips, T. tabaci in Tomato

The prospect of four trap crops viz., marigold, okra, sunflower and brinjal were evaluated for their efficiency against thrips, T. tabaci at SASRD, Medziphema, Nagaland University. The study was conducted in Split Plot Design with four treatments having three replications. Tomato was grown on two different planting geometries i.e. 90 x 70 cm (P1) and 60 x 60 cm (P2) and the treatments used as trap crops were indicated as marigold (T1), okra (T2), brinjal (T3) and sunflower (T4), while confining a ratio of main crop to trap crop at 4: 1.The trap crops were transplanted first following the pattern of sequential trap- cropping. Thrips infestations were recorded from the early vegetative stage of tomato and decline in population as the crop matured. All trap crops in the present study showed good performance in the management of T. tabaci. The planting geometry, P2 with okra as a trap crop was observed to be reasonably effective in curbing thrips population in the study period.

Potential of a new phytoseiid species Neoseiulus setarius (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a biocontrol agent: Biological and demographic parameters on prey and non-prey foods

Neoseiulus setarius Ma, Meng & Fan is a newly described phytoseiid species found in Inner Mongolia of China. To evaluate the potential of N. setarius as a biocontrol agent, we studied life table parameters of N. setarius reared on four food resources, including western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, eriophyoid mite Aceria pallida Keifer, cattail pollen Typha latifolia L. and poplar pollen Populus alba L. Neoseiulus setarius fed on two prey species developed faster and produced more eggs than those fed with two kinds of pollen. Neoseiulus setarius had the shortest juvenile development time on A. pallida (5.38 days), and the highest daily fecundity on F. occidentalis (2.43 eggs/female/day). The juvenile development time of N. setarius was similar on cattail pollen and poplar pollen, but the fecundity of N. setarius was significantly higher on cattail pollen. There were significant differences in the demographic parameters of N. setarius reared on the four different diets. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was on F. occidentalis (0.178 day−1), followed by A. pallida (0.159 day−1), cattail pollen (0.127 day−1) and poplar pollen (0.092 day−1). Neoseiulus setarius showed higher fitness in development and reproduction on prey (F. occidentalis and A. pallida) and cattail pollen. These results suggest that N. setarius could be a promising biocontrol agent for the management of thrips and gall mites.

Impact of Variety and At-Planting Insecticides on Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Management in Peanut

Tobacco thrips are one of the most prevalent early season insect pests in peanut production systems. Experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 in Stoneville Mississippi to evaluate integrated pest management approaches to mitigate negative effects of thrips. Experimental treatments included a normal and late planting date, varieties Georgia-06G and QR-14, and in-furrow insecticide treatments consisting of a non-treated control, phorate, and imidacloprid. Measurements included early and final plant stands, immature and adults thrips counts, and pod yield. In-furrow insecticide had a strong effect on number of thrips per plant with treatment thrips ranking of: phorate < imidacloprid < non-treated control. However, in-furrow insecticide had no interaction with variety or plating date. Although phorate provided greater thrips control than imidacloprid, pod yield for the two treatments was similar, and both in-furrow treatments had greater yield than the non-treated control. The variety QR-14 had greater pod yield than Georgia-06G when planted late. Overall, these results confirm that in-furrow insecticide applications of either imidacloprid or phorate are adequate in protecting against yield loss from thrips within a midsouthern peanut production environment.

Assessing the effectiveness of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam via root irrigation against Megalurothrips usitatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and its residual effects on cowpea.

Systemic neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) applied by seed-treatment or root application have emerged as a prevalent strategy for early-season insect pest management. This research investigated the effectiveness of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, administered through root irrigation, in managing thrips in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (Linn.) Walp.], and the residual properties of both insecticides in cowpea and soil. The results show that thrips density depends on the application rate of insecticides. At the maximum application rate (1,500 µg/ml, active ingredient), imidacloprid and thiamethoxam controlled thrips densities below the economic injury level (EIL, the EIL of thrips on cowpea was 7/flower) for 20 days and 25 days with the density of 6.90 and 6.93/flower at the end of the periods, respectively. Imidacloprid and thiamethoxam residues decreased gradually over time and decreased sharply after 15 days after treatment (DAT), the 2 insecticides were not detected (<0.001 mg/kg) at 45 DAT. According to our findings, the application of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam via root irrigation proved residual control lasting up to 20-25 days for controlling thrips damage at experimental rates, with a strong association to their residual presence in cowpea (0.6223 < R2 < 0.9545). Considering the persistence of the imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, the maximum tested application rate (1,500 µg/ml) was recommended. As the residues of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam were undetectable in cowpea pods at all tested rates, it may be suggested that the use of each insecticide is safe for consumers and effective against thrips, and could be considered for integrated thrips management in the cowpea ecosystem.