Managing resistance: Increasing number of growers banking on biologicals for thrips control

摘要

There have been many reports in certain areas of thrips populations that are not being controlled by registered insecticides. Resistance can be a major reason for pesticide failure. To slow down the development of resistance, IPM strategies are recommended. These include rotation of chemical products, timely sprays, introduction of beneficial insects, and the use of other tools, such as trap plants, sticky tape and insect screening. It should be noted, however, that when we talk about pesticide rotation and other pesticide use strategies, there are actually very few effective products available. Additional strategies, such as biological control, become important if not imperative. An increasing number of growers have made the move to biological control of thrips and are achieving good control.