1. Education and Training to Increase Adoption of IPM for Western Flower Thrips Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, Norman C. Leppla, Amanda C. Hodges, and Joyce L. Merritt Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, IFAS, IPM Florida, Southern Plant Diagnostic Network

2. Education and Training to Increase Adoption of IPM for Western Flower Thrips Problem overview Completed education activities Upcoming programs and educational products Overall expected program outcome

3. Problem Overview Proper species level identification can be difficult - small size (adult is <1/10 in.) - hand lens - dissecting scope - compound microscope - sample to Distance Diagnostic and Identification System (DDIS) - sampling either with aspirator or white paint board Photo credit: Lance Osborne

4. Problem Overview Adult femaleLarva Western Flower Thrips – Frankliniella occidentalis Confusion with other species Photo credits: Joe Funderburk

5. Problem Overview Florida flower thrips Frankliniella bispinosa Melon thrips Thrips palmi Different Thrips spp. Tobacco thrips Frankliniella fusca Photo credit: Cheryle O’DonnellPhoto credit: Kelly Sims

6. Host Damage Suspect thrips damage may be found without the thrips Florida flower thripsTobacco thrips Photo credit: Hank Dankers Photo credit: Stuart Reitz

7. Host Damage Feeding damage can vary depending on the plant part - Damage on leaves and petals by WFT Photo credits: NCSU

8. Host Damage Virus vectors for tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) - Western flower thrips, Florida flower thrips, tobacco thrips - Symptoms vary depending on host species, cultivar, developmental stage, and environmental conditions Florida flower thrips Western flower thrips Photo credit: David SchusterPhoto credit: Hank Dankers

9. Resistance and IPM Pesticide resistance – WFT resistant to almost all insecticides; susceptible to spinosyns Integrated Pest Management can be difficult with multiple pests in various crop systems - Pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) - Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) - Thrips species Photo credit: Jeff Brushwein Pepper weevil

10. Completed Educational Activities Chilli thrips polycom training in December 2005. Thrips identification and sampling training, March 2006 Florida Landscape & Ornamental Thrips Workshop in August 2007 Polycom meeting of statewide thrips specialists at UF on June 10, 2008 Photo credits: Lyle Buss

11. Upcoming Education and Training Workshop on identification and management– Western Flower Thrips Educational Program on August 22, 2008 in Immokalee, FL Thrips Identification Deck – under development by Southern Plant Diagnostic Network & North Central IPM Center Insect resistance management programs that are crop specific Survey of educational needs

12. Education and Training Grower’s IPM Guide for Florida Tomato and Pepper Production - available on IPM Florida website Thrips on IPM Florida website http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/agriculture/vegetables/thrips/index.shtml

14. Thrips Pest Management Webpage Thrips 101 Scouting Identification of thrips Identification of natural enemies of thrips General IPM practices that reduce thrips populations Thrips management in specific crops

15. Thrips Website Challenges of thrips management Tracking thrips resistance to insecticides Specialists working group Education and training activities Grower’s IPM Guide for Florida Tomato and Pepper Production Links

16. Distance Diagnostic and Identification System (DDIS) Sample submission system http://ddis.ifas.ufl.edu/ddisx/home.jsp Take an photograph of the sample Login to DDIS Upload the image to DDIS website Receive assistance with identification

17. Extension Programs In-service training Field days Classroom education Advanced diagnostic training Photo credits: Suzanne Wainright-Evans, Buglady Consulting, Inc

18. Outcome Enhance knowledge & awareness of WFT situation Improve IPM implementation Conduct post-training survey UF/IFAS

19. Contact Info IPM Florida http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/index.shtml Dr. Norm Leppla ncleppla@ufl.edu