Page 28 - Griffin Gazette - July 2025

The three pesticides found to be most effective include Pylon (MOA 13), Conserve (MOA 5), or XXpire (MOA 4C+5). These
three products caused mortality in all life stages and are designated as Tier 1 in the tables below. Tier 2 products showed
reduced activity compared to Tier 1 products but were still efficacious against all life stages. These products should be used as
secondary controls in rotation once the pest population is diminished. Tier 3 products caused some mortality, primarily to the L1
larval stage with reduced or little activity on L2 larvae and adults typically. M52 OD is grouped with Tier 2 due to its overall activity
in a separate trial.

Tier 1 – Most Effective Controls for Pepper Thrips, Efficacy Against All Life Stages

PRODUCT NAME MOA ITEM NUMBER COMMENTS
70-1365 Do not rotate with XXpire; allows 4 applications per year maximum inside greenhouse
Conserve SC 5 70-2675 3 apps per crop maximum, indoor applications only
70-9700 Do not rotate with Conserve
Pylon 13

XXpire 4C+5

Tier 2 – Lower Mortality for Pepper Thrips, Efficacy Against All Life Stages

PRODUCT NAME MOA ITEM NUMBER COMMENTS
Hachi-Hachi 21A 70-1795 Mostly effective against immature stages, see label for phyto cautions
TriStar 4A 70-85221 Use max label rate only for all thrips species
M52 OD* UNF 70-2291 Foliar - apply 3 times, 7 days apart. Drench has long lasting soil pupae activity

*LalGuard M52 OD – Label states applicator must use entire container once opened; M52 trialed in a separate study from the conventional chemicals.

Tier 3 – Primarily Effective on First Stage Larvae (L1) of Pepper Thrips

PRODUCT NAME MOA ITEM NUMBER COMMENTS
Acephate 1B 70-1105 High bee hazard, do not rotate with Carbaryl
Aria WDG 29 70-3399 Direct spray has moderate efficacy on larval stages
Altus 4D 70-1161 Direct spray showed good efficacy on L1 larva, some L2
BioCeres WP UNF 70-1245 Outperformed BotaniGard in 1 FL trial
Marathon II 4A 70-23712 Moderate impact on L1 larva only; TriStar provided higher efficacy (Tier 2)
Carbaryl 1A N/A High bee hazard, do not rotate with Acephate
Kontos 23 70-19601 Trial as a drench, residue gave moderate mortality of larvae
Overture UN 70-2590 Single use water soluble packets
Pedestal SC 15 70-29501 Insect growth regulator activity, immatures only. Tank mixable
Sarisa 28 70-2975 Good residual activity for L1 larval stage

Control strategies against Pepper Thrips start with experience for controlling Western Flower Thrips. Using the limited chemical
data available at this time and our understanding of the thrips life cycle, GGSPro recommends using foliar sprays twice in a
row, 5-7 days apart within a short-term crop schedule (under 12 weeks), before rotating to a new mode of action (MOA). This
method improves control in many cases and treats each generation of thrips with a specific mode of action, ultimately slowing
the carryover of genetic traits for resistance. For longer crop protection strategies (13 weeks or longer), single sprays should
be used, alternating the available MOAs to allow the number of uses to span across the longer crop cycle. Research is ongoing
to determine appropriate rates, frequency, and economic viability for biological control agents (BCAs). This includes Amblyseius
cucumeris and swirskii, Orius insidiosus, Chrysoperla, and Atheta coriaria which are well researched for Western Flower Thrips,
but not yet for Thrips parvispinus. Do not wait to react when this new pest rears its head – be proactive informing your production
teams on how to scout incoming material, isolate affected material, and act immediately when needed.

2 8 | GRIFFIN GAZETTE 2025