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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 #313664
Title: Preventive control of Scirtothrips dorsalis with biological 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: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/22/2015
Publication Date: 9/1/2015
Citation: Kumar, V., Kakkar, G., Seal, D.R., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2015. Preventive control of Scirtothrips dorsalis with biological insecticides, 2011. Arthropod Management Tests. 40:E13, 2pp. 2015. (Report).

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 biological insecticides (entomopathogenic fungi) against this serious pest of vegetable production as a preventive control measure. The efficacy of entomopathogens were compared with grower standard, Radiant. Results showed that Radiant was more effective on immature and adults of Scirtothrips dorsalis compared to other treatments. Biological insecticides such as PFR 97 and Met 52 provided significant reduction in Scirtothrips dorsalis population compared to control. Botanigard was found to be least effective against Scirtothrips dorsalis.

Technical Abstract: The objectives of this study was 1) to evaluate the efficacy of the selected entomopathogens against a new invasive thrips pest, chilli thrips (CT) Scirtothrips dorsalis in pepper as a preventive control strategy, and 2) compare potential of entomopathogens with a chemical standard under greenhouse condition. The trial was conducted at Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida to find an alternative to standard effective chemistries used in thrips control. Scirtothrips dorsalis population varied greatly, however significant reduction in thrips number were observed in all the treatments compared to control. Overall Radiant and PFR-97 were the most effective in controlling Scirtothrips dorsalis population (larvae and adults) and delaying pest impact on the host. Radiant showed consistent result in regulating Scirtothrips dorsalis larvae and provided 97-98% reduction on all the sampling dates. Entompathogens such as PFR-97 (61-87%) and Met-52 (58-70%), also provided significant suppression of chilli thrips larvae during the study period. Botanigard (24-55%) was found to be the least effective. While evaluating different treatments for chilli thrisp adults Radiant, PFR 97 and Met52 provided significant suppression in adults count compared to untreated control on all the sampling dates.