Developing A Cost-effective and Reliable Integrated Management Program For Western Flower Thrips

Abstract

We tested whether biweekly releases of the predaceous mite Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) cucumeris can be integrated with minimal application(s) of the reduced-risk insecticide spinosad (Conserve®) to provide cost-effective and reliable control of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in commercial greenhouse flower crops, and thus increase the attractiveness of this program for widespread grower adoption. Results were unfortunately too variable, due to overall low thrips levels, to draw reliable conclusions about the effectiveness of each treatment.