Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Management Program for Ornamental Plants

Whitefly-Bemisia-tabaci-Gennadius-eggs-and-adults-Lance-Osborne

Silverleaf whitefly is one of the most notorious invasive arthropods worldwide. It feeds on more than 900 plant species and vectors over 100 plant-damaging viruses. This 10-page fact sheet written by Vivek Kumar, Cristi Palmer, Cindy L. McKenzie, and Lance Osborne and published by the Department of Entomology and Nematology provides management recommendations, strategies for detection and scouting, and advice about control measures for this pernicious pest.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1171

Thrips Management Program for Horticultural Crops

chilli thrips

Among the 5,500 (or more) well-described species of thrips worldwide, nearly 1% are known as economically important pests. Because these tiny pests can feed on multiple plants, their damage potential to nursery and greenhouse production is immense: thrips inflict millions of dollars loss every year. Thrips hide easily in tiny spaces, reproduce rapidly, and can survive in lots of climates. And they are invisibly small! Thrips infestations present a huge problem in the regional and international trade of plant materials and products, due to the quarantine risks and damage associated with several species in the order.

This 7-page fact sheet written by Vivek Kumar, Garima Kakkar, Cristi Palmer, Cindy L. McKenzie, and Lance S. Osborne and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology presents a program to manage important thrips pests, including western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), weeping fig thrips (Gynaikothrips uzeli), gladiolus thrips (Thrips simplex), and privet thrips (Dendrothrips ornatus) known to damage several horticultural crops of economic importance in the United States. The publication will help growers take appropriate measures to minimize economic damage.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1145

Pest Identification Guide: An Introduction to Thrips

Dorsal view of an adult common blossom thrips, Frankliniella schultzei Trybom.Tiny insects called thrips are difficult to see with the unaided eye but cause very obvious and sometimes ruinous damage to the flowers, buds, and fruit of many important crops. This two-page guide asks and answers the key thrips questions that allow growers to distinguish between chilli thrips, common blossom thrips, and Western flower thrips to more effectively battle against these destructive pests. What does it look like? What is its life cycle? Where is it found? What type of damage does it cause? And, most importantly, who are its natural enemies? Use this guide to help you identify thrips so that you can take effective steps to control them and limit the damage they cause. Written by Nicole Casuso and Hugh Smith with photos by Lyle Buss, Jeff Cluever, Vivek Kumar, P.M.J. Ramakers, Gary Vallad, and Hugh Smith. Published by the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1058