Frankliniella bispinosa (Morgan) is the key pest of southern highbush blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum L. × V. darrowi Camp) in Florida. Thrips feeding and oviposition injury to developing flowers can result in fruit scarring that renders the fruit unmarketable. Previous studies have shown that flower thrips can disperse into cultivated crops from surrounding host plants. Therefore, the objec...

The postharvest control of arthropod pests is a challenge that the California citrus industry must overcome when exporting fruit overseas. Currently, methyl bromide fumigation is used to control postharvest pests on exported citrus, but it may soon be unavailable because of use restrictions and cost of this health-hazard ozone-depleting chemical. Ethyl formate is a natural plant volatile and po...

Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of a kaolin-based particle film on biological characteristics of the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on onions. Oviposition rate was significantly reduced on kaolin-treated vs. water-treated onion leaves and plants, in choice and no-choice assays. Hatch rate was reduced when kaolin particle film was applie...

onion thrips, thrips tabaci lindeman (thysanoptera: thripidae), is a global pest of onion, Allium cepa l., and the principal vector of iris yellow spot virus (iYsv) that can cause 100% crop losses. the purpose of this study was to evaluate onion cultivars resistant to t. tabaci feeding damage for their reaction to iYsv following exposure to viruliferous t. tabaci in both laboratory and field ex...