Page 21 - Griffin Gazette Spring 2017

Western Flower Thrips, are fast moving and small, about 1-2 mm in marigolds, roses, dracaena, fuchsia, dahlias and ipomoea. Thrips
length, and vary in color from yellow to brown or black depending on threshold for treatment is usually low because of the potential for
the species. They may be obvious on open flowers or found hidden them to spread viruses. Plants such as marigold, dracaena, verbena,
in tight parts of the plants. Adults have tubular bullet-shaped bodies, impatiens, petunia and fava beans should be used to monitor for
with narrow, pointed and fringed wings held folded over its back. their presence. Whiteflies can build quickly and are found often on
The two larval stages that feed on plant parts above ground may indicator plants such as tomato, lantana, gerbera daisy, poinsettia
and eggplant.
be recognized as
wingless, yellowish, Potato discs have been used as a
maggot-like body.
monitoring tool for determining if biological

Spider mites are control or insecticide drenches have been

small in size and effective in reducing fungus gnat larvae

WFT WFT may appear as populations. Potatoes are cut into 1" x 1"

adult larvae speckles of pepper slices and pressed into the soil until flush

against the white with the soil surface. If larvae are present, Potato disc
they will migrate to the underside of the
paper that will

eventually move. potato. A time-saving tip is to place flags in plants where you are

The easiest mite to using potato discs so they can be easily located, results recorded

identify will be the and the potato discs changed out.

two-spotted spider The ultimate goal is to effectively manage pest populations. The
next step after recording whole-plant inspections, beat tray counts
Two-spotted spider Spider mite mite, based on and sticky card counts is to determine what control tactic to use
based on current pest levels populations. Ask yourself these key
webbing the 1-2 large black questions: Is the population increasing, decreasing or staying the
same? Am I positive on my diagnosis? What will happen in a week if
mite adult spots seen on each I do nothing? Are there any environmental or cultural practices that I
can change? Have previous treatments been effective? If not, why?
side of the body.

Adults will have 4 pairs of legs while nymphs will have 3 pairs. These

mites cause a whitish stippling of foliage that may appear similar to a

nutrient deficiency. If they become well established, they can cause

webbing over flowers, stems and foliage. Pay special attention to Many considerations weigh into a pesticide decision, including
label requirements, crop safety, rotation by mode of action and
areas of higher movement such as near intake louvers and doors life stages treated. The GGSPro team is available to help you with
these decisions. GGSPro has also created a Technical Reference
when scouting. Guide and posters to help you make informed choices. Learning
to establish insect thresholds will vary by pest, crop, time of year,
Indicator or trap plants are plants that are highly attractive stage of crop, development in production and the intended market.
A threshold can be thought of as a level of pests that triggers the
to certain insects and can be used to detect insect and mite need for control measures to be taken. Well-timed, effective and
appropriate applications can reduce the expense of pest control
populations early while populations are still low. Chrysanthemum, while providing superior results.

fuchsia, sunflower, gazania, portulaca

and pepper plants should be inspected

carefully for aphids. Cast skins, as well

as “honey dew” may be present on

Pepper trap a plant, providing a clue that aphids

plant for aphids are present. Spider mites love hot and

dry weather and prefer crops such as:

GGSPro has created
a database to assist

growers when
making decisions

about pesticide
applications when

BCAs are in use.
Multiple sources are
used to accumulate

this information
including: biocontrol
companies, university

research and
chemical companies.
It is fully searchable.

Please contact
GGSPro for more

information.