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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #302479

Title: Control of Scirtothrips dorsalis with foliar insecticides, 2011

Author
item KUMAR, VIVEK - University Of Florida
item KAKKAR, GARIMA - University Of Florida
item SEAL, DAKSHINA - University Of Florida
item McKenzie, Cindy
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2014
Publication Date: 1/1/2015
Citation: Kumar, V., Kakkar, G., Seal, D.R., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L. 2015. Control of Scirtothrips dorsalis with foliar insecticides, 2011. Arthropod Management Tests. 39:E24. 2pp.

Interpretive Summary: In the United States, chilli thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood is a newly introduced pest species of various tropical and subtropical crops that poses a significant economic threat to U.S. agriculture and trade. The current study was conducted with an objective to evaluate certain insecticides against this serious pest of horticultural and nursery production. Results showed that Radiant, Movento and Assail was more effective on immature and adults of S. dorsalis compared to other treatments. Novel insecticides such as Sivanto, Hachi, and the combination of Hachi and Cyazypyr provided significant reduction in S. dorsalis population compared to the untreated control. Rimon was not found effective against S. dorsalis.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of several conventional and novel insecticides against a new invasive thrips pest, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, in pepper under greenhouse condition. The trial was conducted at Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida in hopes of finding an alternative to the standard effective chemistries used in thrips control. S. dorsalis population varied greatly, however significant reduction in thrips numbers were observed in all the treatments compared to the untreated control. Overall Radiant, Movento and Assail were the most effective in controlling S. dorsalis populations (larvae and adults) throughout the study period. Radiant showed consistent results in regulating S. dorsalis larvae and provided 99-100% reduction on all the sampling dates. Novel chemistries such as Sivanto (75-95 %), Hachi (74-93%), and the combination of Hachi and Cyazypyr (64-88%) also provided effective suppression of S. dorsalis larvae during the course of the study. Rimon was found to be the least effective against S. dorsalis larvae and no significant reduction in larval population was observed until DAT 5 compared to the untreated control.