Emergency response to infestations of an invasive thrips pest of fresh market peppers in Florida
Agronomy & Pest Management
Anna Meszaros
Extension Agent
UF/IFAS
West Palm Beach
Abstract
Florida is a top producer of fresh bell peppers along with California in the United States. In southern Florida, Palm Beach County alone produces bell peppers on approximately 7,000 acres, representing half of the planted acres in the state. In 2020, Thrips parvispinus, an invasive thrips species, was first detected in the continental U.S. on ornamental plants in Orange County, Florida. In November 2022, it was reported for the first time in commercial pepper fields in Palm Beach County, causing severe injury to pepper plants. Due to the sudden and extensive damage to the crop, T. parvispinus caused millions of dollars of loss to local growers, impacting fresh pepper markets locally and nationwide. Consequently, University of Florida research and extension faculty initiated a program with the following objectives: identify crop hosts, improve scouting methods on pepper, and determine insecticide efficacy to provide control option. Since its first detection, T. parvispinus was recorded causing severe injury on pepper varieties such a bell, Hungarian wax, jalapeño, and mini sweet pepper. T. parvispinus was observed on cucumber, squash, snap bean, and eggplant but caused minimal injury. A scouting guide was developed to help detect early infestations, which is crucial for management. In addition, several on-farm insecticide trials have been conducted. The first trial on jalapeño showed that (1) three consecutive applications of spinetoram, (2) spinetoram followed by sulfoxaflor followed by oxamyl, and (3) three consecutive applications of cyantraniliprole tank mixed with acetamiprid+novaluron or abamectin significantly (P<0.05) reduced the number of T. parvispinus adults (70-100% decrease) and larvae (80-90% decrease) relative to the untreated check. Findings supporting management recommendations were shared with vegetable stakeholders via in-person and online meetings, and newsletters. Constant communication, field visits, and on-farm trials with growers and crop consultants have been crucial to the success of our program showing early adoption of T. parvispinus management recommendations on approximately 3,000 acres. This crisis allowed us to build a strong relationship and establish future collaborations with our clientele. As T. parvispinus will likely continue expanding its range, sharing science-based information nationally will assist in improving integrated pest management across the United States.
Authors: Anna Meszaros, Julien Beuzelin, De-Fen Mou
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Anna Meszaros Extension Agent, Palm Beach County Extension, University of Florida, Florida, 33415
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Julien Beuzelin Associate Professor , Everglades Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Florida, 33430
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De-Fen Mou Assistant Professor, Everglades Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Florida, 33430