How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PESTS

Thrips are very small, slender insects that are best seen with a hand lens. Mature western flower thrips are 0.06 inch (1.5 mm) long, while onion thrips are slightly smaller at 0.05 inch (1.3 mm) long. The most distinctive characteristic of thrips is two pairs of wings that are fringed with long hairs. Adults are pale yellow to light brown in color. Immature stages have the same body shape as adults but are lighter in color and are wingless. Western flower thrips adults have red-colored pigment in their simple eyes (ocelli) while onion thrips simple eyes are gray.

Thrips have a very extensive host range, including cereals, onions, garlic, and broadleaved crops, but it is only the species of plants that are infected by Tomato spotted wilt virus and on which the thrips can complete their entire life cycle that play an important role in the disease cycle. In California, the key crop hosts include tomato, pepper, lettuce, radicchio and fava bean. Important weed hosts include cheese weed (Malva parviflora), sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus), and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola).

The adults are the only life stage that can fly, but they are not strong fliers. Adult thrips can be carried on wind currents, on clothing, and in association with plants. The length of the thrips life cycle (from egg to adult) varies depending on environmental conditions but is generally 30-45 days, though it can be as little as 14 days.

DAMAGE

The primary damage caused by thrips to peppers is the vectoring of Tomato spotted wilt virus. The virus can only be acquired by the immature stage of thrips, whereas plant-to-plant transmission primarily occurs by adults. The adult thrips can transmit the virus for the remainder of their lives, which can last 30 to 45 days. However, the adults do not pass the virus to their progeny (through the egg).

High populations of thrips can cause damage with their feeding, which distorts plant growth, deforms flowers, and causes white-to-silvery patches on emerging leaves that often have tiny black fecal specks in them.

MANAGEMENT

If possible, avoid planting peppers next to onions, garlic, or cereals, because thrips often build up to large numbers on these crops. Also, avoid fields near greenhouses where ornamentals (cut flowers) are grown as these plants serve as hosts for the virus and thrips.

Insecticide treatments for thrips are usually not warranted in the Imperial Valley but may be needed for suppression of Tomato spotted wilt virus in the San Joaquin Valley and coastal growing areas. Treat transplants with imidacloprid before placement in the field and at planting. Treatment with foliar insecticide sprays through the season as needed may limit in-field spread of Tomato spotted wilt virus to some extent. Rotate classes of insecticides to minimize insecticide resistance in thrips.

Common name		Amount/Acre**	R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)			(hours)	(days)
When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to impact on natural enemies and honey bees and environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
A.	IMIDACLOPRID
	(Provado) 1.6F	3.8 fl oz	12	0
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A
	COMMENTS: Treat transplants 3 to 7 days before placing in field.
B.	IMIDACLOPRID
	(Admire Pro)	7–14 fl oz	12	21
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A
	COMMENTS: Apply through drip at planting or as a band on the surface of the bed. Effective for up to 6 weeks and does not substantially affect beneficials. Combine with a treatment before transplanting because it takes about a week for the plant to acquire the material.
C.	SPINETORAM*
	(Radiant) SC	6–10 fl oz	4	1
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 5
D.	SPINOSAD
	(Entrust)#	1.25–2.5 oz	4	1
	(Success)	4-8 oz	4	1
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 5
E.	METHOMYL*
	(Lannate SP)	0.25–0.5 lb	48	3
	(Lannate LV)	0.75–1.5 pt	48	3
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
	COMMENTS: Do not use if psyllids are present. Efficacy increases when combined with a pyrethroid such as zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang).
F.	DIMETHOATE 400	0.5–0.66 pt	48	0
	DIMETHOATE E267	0.75–1 pt	48	0
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
	COMMENTS: Do not use if psyllids are present. Efficacy increases when combined with a pyrethroid such as zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang).
G.	FLONICAMID
	(Beleaf) 50SG	2.8 oz	12	0
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 9C
**	See label for dilution rates.
+	Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
#	Acceptable for use on organically grown produce.
1	Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Peppers
UC ANR Publication 3460
Insects and Mites
E. T. Natwick, UC Cooperative Extension Imperial County
J. T. Trumble, Entomology, UC Riverside
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insects and Mites:
W. J. Bentley, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
R. L. Coviello, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County
C. G. Summers, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
W. E. Chaney, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County
C. F. Fouche, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County

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