1. Ecology and Management of Scirtothrips dorsalis
Presented By: Dr. Joe Funderburk, UF/IFAS
Contributing Authors:
UF/IFAS: J. Funderburk, and L. Osborne
A.C. Hodges, UF/IFAS, SPDN (ed.)

2. POPULATION ATTRIBUTES OF THRIPS
◦ Vagile (excellent invaders, mobile) ◦ Broad host range ◦ Short generation time ◦ Predisposition to parthenogenesis ◦ A competitive breeding structure promoting aggregation and exploitation of localized optimal conditions
Mound Thrips As Crop Pests (Lewis, ed.) CAB International

3. Host Range for Frankliniella occidentalis
50 of 55 plant species in 22 families were food hosts for the adults in a survey in Central Chile
43 of 55 plant species were reproductive hosts

4. Plant Hosts for Frankliniella occidentalis in the Aconcogue Valley, Chile
Number of Families or Species
Ripa, Rodriguez, Funderburk, & Espinoza, unpublished

5. Life History of Pest Thrips
30 to 40 days for a complete generation
6, 5, and 5 days for development of egg, larva, and pupa
Pollen doubles or triples fecundity
Strong aggregation tendencies for flowers of Thrips and Frankliniella species
Scirtothrips aggregate on young foliage and flowers

7. Reproduction in Thrips
In most Thysanoptera, reproduction requires copulation
Parthenogenesis common
In most species, fertilized eggs have the full diploid number and become female; unfertilized eggs are haploid and become males

8. Integrated Pest Management

9. Natural Enemies of Thrips
PREDATORS Anthocorids, Chrysopids, Nabids, Aeolothrips, Phlaeothrips, predatory mites (Euseius sojanensis)
PARASITES Thripinema (Tylechida: Allantonematidae)
PARASITOIDS Chalcidoidea (Megaphragma sp.) Ceranisus (Eulophidae)
PATHOGENS Fungal pathogens recently reported as important for Scirtothrips dorsalis in India

10. Important Worldwide Predators of Thrips
ORDER HEMIPTERA
FAMILY ANTHOCORIDAE
commonly, pirate bugs
GENUS Orius
SPECIES insidiosus
COMMON NAME
Insidious flower bug
Photo Stuart Reitz

11. 1 : 217 = population suppression 1 : 51 = rapid local extinction
PEPPER
Intrinsic capacity of Orius insidiosus to reduce Frankliniella occidentalis populations
Photo Joe Funderburk
Predator-Prey Ratios
1 : 217 = population suppression
1 : 51 = rapid local extinction
So if we can alter the predator – prey ratio, we can suppress thrips populations quickly and persistantly
Sabelis & Van Rijn (1997) Thrips as Crop Pests. (Lewis, ed.) CAB International, UK

12. PEPPER Thrips per flower Pirate bugs per flower May & June 1996
Frankliniella occidentalis
thrips larvae
Orius 50
0.8
fenpropathrin 40
PEPPER 30
0.4 20 10
0.0
0.8 12
spinosad
per flower
Thrips per flower 8
0.4 4
Pirate bugs
0.0
0.8 12
untreated 8
Funderburk, Stavisky & Olson 2000 Environ. Entomol. vol. 29 (2):
0.4 4
0.0
May & June 1996

13. Commercial Pepper Field Thomas Smith Farms, Greensboro, FL
RECOMENDATION FOR PEPPER
PRODUCERS
Commercial Pepper Field Thomas Smith Farms, Greensboro, FL
CONSERVE ORIUS
POPULATIONS
BY THE
SELECTIVE USE OF
TACTICS
Courtesy Glades Crop Care, Inc.

14. Aconcague Valley, Chile
120
120
100
100
Annual cycle of abundance of western flower
thrips in alfalfa in the southern hemisphere 80 80 60 60
Thrips per 5 terminal shoots in alfalfa 40 40 20 20
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

15. Dynamics of Frankliniella occidentalis in Alfalfa in Central Chile as Influenced by Pirate Bugs
291
Number of total thrips per Orius insidiosus
140
Number of thrips per 5 terminal shoots 13 68 81 64 18 16 16 17
Ripa, Rodriguez, Funderburk, & Espinoza, unpublished

16. Species of Thripinema, Nematode Parasites of Thrips
T. nicklewoodi (North America)
T. khrustalevi (Asia, South America)
T. fuscum (North America)
T. aptini (Europe)
T. reniroai (Asia)
Undescribed species (New Zealand)
Photo Chris Tipping

17. EFFECTS OF Thripinema PARASITISM ON EGG PRODUCTION OF THRIPS HOST3
Not parasitized, healthy host 2 1 3
Fecundity of Frankliniella fusca (eggs per day) 2
Infected when 3-day-old adult 1 3 2
Infected when 1-day-old adult 1 3 2
Infected when Larvae II 1 3 2
Infected when Larvae I 1 5 10 15 20 25
Age of Adult FemaleThrips (days)
Sims, Funderburk & Boucias 2005 J. Nematol.

18. % F. fusca parasitized by T. fuscum
% TSW
% parasitized F. fusca
F. fusca
larval thrips 80
Parasitism nearly prevents mid & late season cycles of TSW 60
Funderburk et al
Environ. Entomol.
31(3):
% TSW 40
PEANUTS 20 75 80 60 50
% F. fusca parasitized by T. fuscum
Thrips per plant
Parasitism suppresses thrips
mid and late season 40 25 20
20 May 9 Jun Jun Jul 8 Aug 28 Aug 17 Sept
1999

19. Recommendations for Peanut Producers
Cultivars partially resistant to Tomato spotted wilt virus
Biological control
Planting date
Insecticides that conserve key natural enemies
Photo Joe Funderburk
Funderburk & Latsha Nematodes As Biocontrol Agents.
( Grewal et al. eds.) CAB International, UK

20. TOMATO
UV mulch
Photo Joe Funderburk

21. ACTIGARD (Syngenta) Acibenzolar-S-methyl
Substitutes for the natural systemic-acquired-resistance molecule salicylic acid that is essential for activation of systemic acquired resistance
Six applications on tomatoes at two-week intervals beginning at transplanting

22. Recommendations for tomato producers
UV mulch effective in reducing thrips invasion and primary spread of TSWV
Actigard recommended when using UV mulch to reduce sprays of copper and other pesticides that reduce the UV reflectance of the mulch
Insecticides useful in suppressing thrips larvae and secondary spread of TSWV
Source Momol et al Plant Disease 88(8):

23. Thrips and Tomato Spotted Wilt
Regulation of vector populations with insecticides is not sustainable producing undesirable environmental and economic consequences
Integrated pest management is effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable
Management programs developed from knowledge of vector population dynamics and disease epidemiology

24. Chilli Thrips Natural Enemies
Egg Parisitoid
Megaphragma sp. (Chalcidoidea)
53.2% parasitism on grapes in Japan
Predatory Mite
Euseius sojaensis
1.4 larvae/hr
5.4 larvae/day

25. Ornamental Plant Hosts of Concern
Banana
Japanese Photina
Camellia
Jasmine
Castor Bean
Mexican Heather
Chrysanthemum
Mimosa spp. (Sensitive plant)
Dahlia
Pittosporum
Euonymous
Podocarpus
Firethron
Rhododendrum
Holly
Rose
Viburnum
The most common ornamental host records to date were Jasmine and Rose. The other major non-ornamental plant records have been from Capsicum (pepper).
For the latest information on chilli thrips and ornamental plants, visit

26. Ornamentals abamectin (Avid) acephate (such as Orthene or Orthonex)
acetamiprid (TriStar)
azadirachtin (such as Azatin, Neem oil) (not labeled for thrips)
cyfluthrin (Decathlon, Discus, Bayer Advanced products such as Tree and Shrub Insect Control or Rose and Flower Insect Killer)
disulfoton (such as Di-Syston Systemic Insecticide Granules)
imidacloprid (Marathon, Merit, Discus and the Bayer products listed above)
novaluron (Pedestal)
spinosad (such as Conserve)
Materials in yellow would be suitable for use by homeowners if used according to the labeled instructions.

27. Overall Conclusions
Management of S. dorsalis in the landscape requires an integrated approach that includes a detailed understanding of pest biology, natural enemy complexes, and host resistance.
Chemical control options are also available and may be necessary in some cases.
Chemical control options or destruction of plant material is the only option for retail nurseries as long as S. dorsalis remains a regulated pest.

28. Disclaimer
The use of trade names in this presentation is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.