1. Thrips are small insects (Fig.) that live in the flowers and folded leaflets of groundnut. They are pale cream in color, and are usually hidden. For these reasons they are not conspicuous. They can be present at any time of the year but are most numerous in the post-rainy season. Enlarged Picture of a Thrip Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 5: Thrips Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests

2. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 5: Thrips Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests Crop Damage Nymphs and adults suck sap from the surface of the leaflets initially resulting in white patches on the upper and necrotic patches on the lower surface of the leaves. In severe infestations, particularly in the winter crop (November-December sown in southern India), leaf distortion causes stunted plants. Yield reduction is not serious.

3. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 5: Thrips Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests Crop Damage Thrips are more dangerous to the crop as they transmit peanut bud necrosis virus disease, which can cause widespread plant death (Fig.). Bud necrosis affected plant

4. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 5: Thrips Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests Management Farmers often apply insecticides to control thrips. This often results in outbreaks of more serious pests. Insecticide application does not help to reduce levels of bud necrosis disease. Grow varieties resistance to thrips like Robut 33-1, Kadiri 3, ICGS 86031, ICGS 11, and ICGS 44 in endemic areas to reduce the risk of thrips damage and bud necrosis disease.

5. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 5: Thrips Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests Management If there are more than five thrips per terminal (folded) leaf during 30 days after emergence in the post rainy season, apply Dimethoate at 200-250 mL a.i./ha. Thereafter, it is not necessary to use insecticides for thrips control.

6. The Lesson 5 on Thrips on groundnut concludes. The next Lesson in this Module is about white grubs on groundnut. Select Lesson 6 in Module II from Course contents Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests