JOE FUNDERBURK, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA,

Applying Ecological Knowledge: Vertically Integrated IPM Using Thrips, Tospoviruses, and

Vegetables As An Example

Photo Cheryle O’Donnell

PEST STATUS OF INVASIVE FRANKLINIELLA OCCIDENTALIS

Certain biological characteristics aid successful invasion where it causes extensive crop damage, vectors viral diseases, and permanently destabilizes IPM systems owing to irruptive outbreaks that require remediation with insecticides, leading to the development of insecticide resistance…

Morse and Hoddle. 2006. Annual Review of Entomology

IPM for the practitioner encompasses the simultaneous management of multiple pests, regular monitoring of pests and their natural enemies or antagonists, use of economic thresholds when applying pesticides, and integrated use of multiple suppressive tactics…

Ehler. 2006. Pest Management Science 62: 787-789.

Vertical IPM: integration of multiple, compatible tactics to control one group of pests such as arthropods or pathogens or weeds

Horizontal IPM: integration of multiple, compatible tactics to control more than one group of pests

EXTENSION GROUP of THRIPS/VERTICAL IPM ACTION TEAM

Joe Funderburk, Norm Leppla, Phil Stansly, Oscar Liburd, Lance Osborne, Greg Nuessly, Catherine Mannion, Hugh Smith, Steven

Arthurs, Amanda Hodges, Dave Schuster, Susan Webb, Dak Seal, Alicia Whidden, Crystal Snodgrass, Dan Mullens, David Sui, Gene McAvoy, Lester Muralles, Mary Lamberts, Waldy Klassen, Silvia Shives, Mary Beth Henry, Lelan Parker, Juanita Popenoe, Bill

Schall, Alex Bolques, Gary Knox, Steve Olson, Jim Price

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES1.Increase profitability of farming

2.Assure availability of pesticides

3.Increase growers adopting UF IPM Program

4.Increase growers who vertically integrate management of pests

MANAGEMENT/VERTICALLY INTEGRATED PROGRAMS FOR THRIPS

AND TOSPOVIRUSES IN FLORIDA

PEPPER & EGGPLANT http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in401

TOMATO http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in895

BLUEBERRY http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN63700.pdf

STRAWBERRY Jim Price, Joe Funderburk others developing

GREEN BEAN Greg Nuessly others developing

CUCURBITS Susan Webb, Dak Seal developing

ORNAMENTALS Steve Arthurs, Lance Osborne

Tomato spotted wilt virus symptoms on

pepper

Flecking on pepperdue to feeding by

western flower thrips

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THRIPS IN COMMERCIAL PEPPER IN SOUTH FLORIDA

PALM BEACH COUNTY 1995/96

PALM BEACH COUNTY 2006/07

Frantz & Mellinger. 2009. Florida Entomologist 92:29-34.

ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE, ECONOMICAL, & SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR THRIPS AND TOSPOVIRUSES IN VEGETABLES

Define pest status (economic thresholds)

Increase biotic resistance (natural enemies and competition)

Integrate preventive and therapeutic tactics (scout, uv-reflective technology, biological control, insecticides,

companion plants, fertility, irrigation, etc.)

Vertically integrate program for thrips (focus management on pest complex rather than individual

pests)

Continuously improve program and communicate knowledge (research, EDIS pubs, website, farm

demonstrations, meetings, assess implementation and benefits)

Capacity of minute pirate Capacity of minute pirate bugs, bugs, Orius insidiosus,Orius insidiosus, to to reduce thrips populationsreduce thrips populations

Predator-Prey Ratio Management Predator-Prey Ratio Management GuidesGuides

1 predator per about 180 thrips = 1 predator per about 180 thrips = population suppressionpopulation suppression

1 predator per 50 thrips = control1 predator per 50 thrips = control

Photo Joe Funderburk

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PEPPER

INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION

Interspecific competition and population dynamics of thrips on crop and uncultivated hosts. Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips palmi are out-competed by native species of thrips.

Paini, Funderburk, & Reitz. 2008. Journal of Animal Ecology 77: 184-190.

Paini, Funderburk, Jackson,&Reitz. 2007. Journal of Entomological Science 42: 610-615.

Northfield, Paini, Funderburk, & Reitz. 2008. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 101: 769-778.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEPPER & EGGPLANThttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN401

1. In scouting program, distinguish between adult and larval thrips and identify adult thrips to species

2. Economic thresholds: about 6 western flower thrips per flower and about 2 thrips larvae per fruit (identifying species of larvae is not necessary-all equally damaging)

3. Do not treat for Florida flower thrips and eastern flower thrips as they outcompete western flower thrips

4. When peppers are flowering, use insecticides for thrips and other pests that conserve minute pirate bugs

5. When peppers are flowering and early fruit set, do not use insecticides that induce western flower thrips

6. Use ultraviolet-reflective mulch when forming beds

7. Sunflower and other refugia to provide a source for minute pirate bugs

8. Vertically integrate management of thrips and other pests including pepper weevil and lepidoptera

9. Follow BMP’s for fertility and water management

INSECTICIDES FOR WESTERN FLOWER THRIPS IN FRUITING VEGETABLES

Radiant ® Good control of adults & larvae-minimize applications to 2 per season

Assail ® & Torac® Control of adults & larvae-broad spectrum-do not use during flowering & early fruit set

Cyazypyr ® Suppression or in rotation with other insecticides (label expected late 2012/early 2013)

Beleaf ® Suppression or in rotation with other insecticides

Movento ® Suppression especially after 2 applications (must use with Induce ® nonionic wetter/spreader

adjuvant)

Requiem ® Suppression especially after 2 applications

Lannate ® Control of adults & larvae-broad spectrum-do not use during flowering and early fruit set

M-Pede ® & EcoTrol ® Weak suppression

INSECTICIDES THAT CONSERVE MINUTE PIRATE BUGShttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN401

SPINOSYNS thrips and other pests

REQUIEM thrips, aphids, whiteflies

SPIROTETRAMAT thrips, aphids, whiteflies

CYAZYPYR thrips, aphids, whiteflies, and other pests

FLONICAMID thrips, aphids, whiteflies, and other pests

M-PEDE thrips, aphids, whiteflies, spidermites

METHOXYFENOXIDE lepidoptera

INDOXACARB lepidoptera

Bt’s lepidoptera, coleoptera

ECOTROL thrips, aphids, whiteflies

AZADIRACHTIN various taxa

CYROMAZINE Dipteran leafminers

FENBUTATIN mites

PYMETRAZINE whiteflies, aphids

INSECTICIDES KNOWN TO INDUCE WESTERN FLOWER

THRIPS & MELON THRIPS

Synthetic Pyrethroids are strong inducers (never use)

Neonicotinoids sometimes have some inducing effect (careful use)

Broad-spectrum carbamates and organophosphates should be avoided

generallyhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN401

Vertically integrated management scheme for thrips and other pests in pepper

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN401

Dimples on tomato due to oviposition of Frankliniella

occidentalis

Flecking on tomatodue to feeding by

Frankliniella occidentalis

Ring spots and fruitdeformity from tomatospotted wilt infection

Recommendations for western flower thrips in tomato

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN895• Distinguish between adult and larval thrips and identify adult

thrips to species• Economic thresholds: about 1 western flower thrips per flower

and about 2 larvae per fruit• Do not treat for Florida flower thrips and eastern flower thrips

as they outcompete western flower thrips• Alternate between efficacious insecticides• Avoid using insecticides that induce western flower thrips

populations• Use Ultraviolet-reflective mulch and other technologies• Vertically integrate management program for thrips with

management of other pests and diseases including whiteflies and Lepidoptera, and whitefly-vectored viruses and other tomato diseases

• Follow BMP’s for fertility and water management

CROP FERTILITY AND POPULATIONS OF FRANKLINIELLA OCCIDENTALIS

Stavisky, Funderburk, Brodbeck, Olson, & Andersen. 2002. J. Economic Entomology

Number per tomato flower

THRIPS HOST PLANT DETECTION & SELECTION

Terry. 1997. Host Selection, Communication, & Reproductive Behavior, In Thrips As Crop Pests

(Lewis, Ed.) CAB INTERNATIONAL

THRIPS LOCATE HOSTS USING COLOR, SHAPE, SIZE, & VOLATILES WITH ANTHOPHILOUS THRIPS ATTRACTED TO LOW UV WHITES,

YELLOWS, AND BLUES

ONCE A POTENTIAL HOST IS CONTACTED THEN ODOR, TACTILE, & GUSTATORY CUES

PREDOMINATE

COMMERCIAL UV-REFLECTIVE PRODUCTS AS TACTICS FOR ARTHROPOD

MANAGEMENT

Plastic mulches (many products from multiple sources for farm or garden with

varying levels of UV-reflectance)

UV-reflective barriers and repellents (many products for many uses such as greenhouse

covers, row covers, tubes, etc.)

Kaolin clay (Surround ® WP, Engelhard Corp.) multiple modes of action including UV-

reflectance

BLACK & UV-REFLECTIVE MULCHESRAISED-BED PLASTIC MULCH SYSTEM

TYPICAL IN CONVENTIONAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN FLORIDA

KAOLIN CLAY-SURROUND®

SPRING TOMATOES, NORTH FLORIDA 2011

COURTESY KARA TYLER-JULIAN

SPRING TOMATOES, NORTH FLORIDA 2011

COURTESY KARA TYLER-JULIAN

Tomato spotted wilt virusDISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY

PRIMARY SPREAD-TRANSMITTING THRIPS ADULTS ACQUIRED VIRUS AS LARVAE BY

FEEDING ON PLANTS GROWING OUTSIDE FIELD

SECONDARY SPREAD-ADDITIONAL CYLCES WHERE ACQUISITION BY THRIPS LARVAE AND

TRANSMISSION BY THRIPS ADULTS OCCURS BY FEEDING ON PLANTS WITHIN THE SAME CROP

FIELD

SPREAD OF Tomato spotted wilt virus IN NORTHERN FLORIDA

TOMATOES

Primary infection 72%

Secondary infection 28%

Momol et al. 2004. Plant Disease 88:882-890

% Incidence of Tomato Spotted Wilt As Affected By UV-Reflective Mulch & Insecticides

for Thrips Control in North Florida Tomatoes

Momol, Olson, Funderburk, Stavisky, Marois. 2004. Plant DiseaseMomol, Olson, Funderburk, Stavisky, Marois. 2004. Plant Disease

Role of Ultraviolet-Reflective Products for Managing Western Flower Thrips and

Tomato Spotted Wilt in Fruiting Vegetables

Highly-reflective UV mulch reduces western flower thrips until mid-season

Foliar-applied kaolin suppresses western flower thrips

UV-reflective technologies affect other insect groups including natural enemies such as minute pirate bugs

UV-reflective technologies reduce primary and secondary spread of tomato spotted wilt by repelling the thrips vectors

capable of transmitting Tomato spotted wilt virus

Complete recommendations for tomato http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN895

Complete recommendations for pepper and eggplant http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN401

Tactics useful in managing primary and secondary spread of tomato spotted wilt

virus and other tospovirus species

 PRIMARY SPREAD SECONDARY SPREAD

 Resistant cultivars Resistant cultivars

 UV-reflective technologies UV-reflective technologies

 SAR inducer SAR inducer

 Optimal fertility Optimal fertility

  Insecticides for suppression of thrips larvae

Insecticide management scheme for western flower thrips and tospoviruses http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN895

SPRING SWEET PEPPERS SOUTH FLORIDA 2011COURTESY KARA TYLER-JULIAN

PLANTS AS SOURCES & SINKS OF ARTHROPOD POPULATIONS

Refugium: plants that provide habitat for arthropod populations especially natural enemies to avoid changes in crop especially pesticides

Companion Plant: plants grown in proximity to crop that assists in pest management

Banker Plant: plants used to introduce an established population of a natural enemy to a crop

Trap Crop: plants that attract agricultural pests away from nearby crops

Push/Pull Strategies Using Companion Plants and UV-Reflecting Technologies

Bidens near tomato Helianthus near pepper

Cultural methods of thrips management

Intercrop types

•Refugium-Plants used to provide habitat for arthropods to avoid crop changes such as pesticides

•Companion plants- Plants grown near crops that assist the crops in some way i.e. pest management

•Banker Plants- Intercrops used for establishing natural predators

•Trap crops-Intercrops that are more attractive to pests than the crop

2011 Tomato trials North Florida

2011 Pepper trials South FloridaEfficacy of cultural methods

-UV reflective mulch most effective at beginning of season

-Kaolin clay most effective middle-end of season

-Companion plants most effective at middle-end of season.

-Bidens alba: banker crop/refugium for minute pirate bugs on tomatoes.

-Sunflower: banker crop, trap crop, refugium for peppers.

-Bidens alba and tomatoes: poor reproductive hosts for thrips

-Peppers and sunflowers: good reproductive hosts for thrips

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OUTCOMES/IMPACTS-2007 TO PRESENT

1. Field Demonstrations-NFREC (5), GCREC (1), PALM BEACH COUNTY (2), HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (2)

2. Publications-BOOK CHAPTERS (1), REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES (5), EDIS ARTICLES (5), TRADE JOURNALS (4)

3. Workshops & In-Service Trainings-INTERNATIONAL (19), NATIONAL (3), FLORIDA/COUNTY (19 TOTAL-955 PARTICIPANTS)

4. Thrips Website-50,000 DOWNLOADS IN 2010; 7,725 HITS EDIS PUBLICATIONS 2010

5. Effective, Economical, Sustainable IPM Programs-90% GROWERS SURVEYED GAINED KNOWLEDGE

85% GROWERS SURVEYED ADOPTED IPM PROGRAM

INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE MONITORING SHOWED RESISTANT THRIPS POPULATIONS RETURNING TO SUSCEPTIBILITY

PALM BEACH COUNTY PEPPER GROWERS SAVED $28.8 MILLION IN 2010 IN YIELD GAINS AND REDUCED PESTICIDE USE