Chilli Thrips
Scirtothrips dorsalis
Overview
The leaf-dwelling Chilli Thrip (Scirtothrips dorsalis) causes alarm globally due to its ability to cause significant damage during the early stages of crop development. It is also very difficult to control with the current chemical and biological treatments available.
Chilli Thrips were first detected in Western Australia more than 20 years ago and more recently have caused major problems for horticulture and ornamental crops. They are very difficult to control because their lifecycle is different from the other thrips.
Chilli Thrips complete most of their lifecycle on the foliage, reach high numbers very quickly, and damage the young shoots and foliage of the plant long before any flowers develop.
Chilli Thrips has a wide host range which includes many fruit and vegetable horticulture crops, including berries, citrus, grapevines, flowers and ornamentals.
Why you need to control Chilli Thrips
Chilli Thrips cause significant feeding damage to the new leaves, growing tips, flowers and fruit.
Complete defoliation of severely affected plants was reported for many crops in Australia and overseas. In horticulture crops the damage appears like that caused by Broad Mite. It is also a vector for several plant viruses, including Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus.
Chilli Thrips control must start as soon as thrips activity is observed or suspected based on past experiences. Chilli Thrips are very difficult to detect due to their small size, hence the importance of effective monitoring by experienced consultants or well-trained staff.
Beneficial predators to control Chilli Thrips among crops
The foliar-dwelling nature of Chilli Thrips complicate their control. It means a combination of beneficials that can persist on the foliage of the host plant is needed. The leaf-dwelling predatory thrip Franklinothrips vespiformis (Frankie) and high rates of the predatory mites Cucumeris, Lailae and Montdorensis, are being utilised to combat this pest.
Although Orius tantillus (Orius) works best in flowering crops, it will assist with the control of Chilli Thrips in the crops where it is regularly used (eg, strawberries and capsicums).
Get tailored advice for your commercial crop
To speak with one of our qualified consultants about your current commercial crop challenge or to learn about the benefits of the IPM maintenance and monitoring services we provide, contact us.
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