Chemical control of flowering thrips infesting tropical fruits

Flowering thrips, Frankliniella bispinosa and F. kelliae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are the most common thrips observed on blooms of mango, avocado, litchi and other tropical fruit trees, ornamentals and weeds during winter and spring in Florida. Infestations on tropical fruit blossoms are usually the result of adult thrips dispersing abruptly in very large numbers, from a range of weeds, grasses and other flowering plants. On tropical fruit, damage by these insects is caused by feeding on petals, pistils and by deposition of eggs in the fruit-lets. Three experiments were conducted on mango and avocado to determine efficacy of different pesticides (Acetamiprid, Fenpropatrin, Milbemectin and Zeta-cypermethrin, novaluron) against these species. The possible relationship between thrips density and fruit set in mango and avocado was determined. The relationship between numbers of thrips and damage (scarring and pimpling) on avocado fruit was determined.