Eggplant, Pepper, & Tomato XXIV-6

Flower Thrips

Whitney S. Cranshaw & Jay D. Donahue

Thrips.

Flower thrips commonly infest blossoms. Minor fruit scarring may result but there is no evidence that flower thrips reduce fruit set. Control of flower thrips is very difficult since they are well protected within blossoms. In Colorado State University trials best control has been acheived with Asana. However, maximum rates of flower thrips control may not exceed 50% because of diffeculties in controlling insects within blossoms.

Flower thrips also transmit the disease organism responsible for tomato spotted wilt. Control is best acheived by carefully screening transplants so that the disease is not introduced into the field. In addition, infested plants should be rougued and destroyed to prevent transmission. In-field spread is not well controlled by use of insecticides.

Categories: Flower thrips, Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper, Insects

Date: 03/16/2002