Education and Training to Increase Adoption of IPM for Western Flower ThripsJennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, Norman C. Leppla, Amanda C. Hodges, and Joyce L. MerrittEntomology and Nematology, University of Florida, IFAS, IPM Florida, Southern Plant Diagnostic Network

Education and Training to Increase Adoption of IPM for Western Flower ThripsProblem overviewCompleted education activitiesUpcoming programs and educational productsOverall expected program outcome

Problem OverviewProper species level identification can be difficult - small size (adult is

Problem OverviewAdult femaleLarvaWestern Flower Thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Confusion with other speciesPhoto credits: Joe Funderburk

Problem Overview

Florida flower thrips Frankliniella bispinosaMelon thrips Thrips palmi Different Thrips spp. Tobacco thrips Frankliniella fuscaPhoto credit: Cheryle ODonnellPhoto credit: Kelly SimsPhoto credit: Kelly Sims

Host DamageSuspect thrips damage may be found without the thripsFlorida flower thripsTobacco thripsPhoto credit: Hank DankersPhoto credit: Stuart Reitz

Host DamageFeeding damage can vary depending on the plant part - Damage on leaves and petals by WFTPhoto credits: NCSU

Host DamageVirus vectors for tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) - Western flower thrips, Florida flower thrips, tobacco thrips - Symptoms vary depending on host species, cultivar, developmental stage, and environmental conditions

Florida flower thripsWestern flower thripsPhoto credit: David SchusterPhoto credit: Hank Dankers

Resistance and IPMPesticide resistance WFT resistant to almost all insecticides; susceptible to spinosyns

Integrated Pest Management can be difficult with multiple pests in various crop systems - Pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) - Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) - Thrips speciesPhoto credit: Jeff BrushweinPepper weevil

Completed Educational ActivitiesChilli thrips polycom training in December 2005.Thrips identification and sampling training, March 2006Florida Landscape & Ornamental Thrips Workshop in August 2007Polycom meeting of statewide thrips specialists at UF on June 10, 2008Photo credits: Lyle Buss

Upcoming Education and TrainingWorkshop on identification and management Western Flower Thrips Educational Program on August 22, 2008 in Immokalee, FL

Thrips Identification Deck under development by Southern Plant Diagnostic Network & North Central IPM Center

Insect resistance management programs that are crop specific

Survey of educational needs

Education and TrainingGrowers IPM Guide for Florida Tomato and Pepper Production - available on IPM Florida website

Thrips on IPM Florida websitehttp://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/agriculture/vegetables/thrips/index.shtml

Thrips Pest Management WebpageThrips 101ScoutingIdentification of thripsIdentification of natural enemies of thripsGeneral IPM practices that reduce thrips populationsThrips management in specific crops

Thrips WebsiteChallenges of thrips managementTracking thrips resistance to insecticidesSpecialists working groupEducation and training activitiesGrowers IPM Guide for Florida Tomato and Pepper ProductionLinks

Distance Diagnostic and Identification System (DDIS)Sample submission systemhttp://ddis.ifas.ufl.edu/ddisx/home.jsp

Take an photograph of the sampleLogin to DDISUpload the image to DDIS websiteReceive assistance with identification

Extension ProgramsIn-service trainingField daysClassroom educationAdvanced diagnostic training

Photo credits: Suzanne Wainright-Evans, Buglady Consulting, Inc

OutcomeEnhance knowledge & awareness of WFT situation

Improve IPM implementation

Conduct post-training surveyUF/IFAS

Contact InfoIPM Florida http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/index.shtml

Dr. Norm Leppla ncleppla@ufl.edu