Biological control of Western Flower Thrips in Capital District Greenhouses

Abstract

Historically, Western Flower Thrips have been one of the most difficult to control and damaging pests encountered in spring greenhouse crops in the Capital District of New York and throughout the rest of the region. Data collected through evaluations at educational programs held in the Capital District indicated that growers spray for thrips anywhere from one to twelve times for thrips during the spring growing season. If biological controls can adequately control thrips growers can realize a significant savings in labor by reducing the number of pesticide applications.