Chemical control against Thrips palmi and Frankliniella occidentalis
Experiments were carried out in Hawaii (US) to investigate possible control of Thrips palmi (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) and Frankliniella occidentalis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) in orchids by field applications of insecticides and post-harvest insecticidal dips of flowers. It was found that insecticidal double dips of orchid blossoms (Dendrobium spp.) reduced the mixed flower infestation by T. palmi and F. occidentalis by more than 95%. Double dipping consisted of immersing an inflorescence for 3 min in insecticide with agitation followed by a 2h waiting period and a second 3 min immersion in insecticide. Four field applications of insecticides reduced the infestation by more than 90%. It is concluded and suggested by the authors that field applications of insecticides against T. palmi and F. occidentalis should be carried out only to keep the thrips populations under the threshold which is determined by blossom injury and to apply double insecticidal dips as a quarantine treatment.
Sources
Hata, T.Y.; Hara, A.H.; Hu; B.K.S.; Kaneko, R.T.; Tenbrink, V.L. (1993) ;Field spays and insecticidal dips after harvest for pest management of Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips palmi on orchids.
Journal of Economic Entomology 86, 1483-1489.