Assessing the effectiveness of insecticides for controlling flower thrips in blueberries

Flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are one of the most common and harmful groups of pests in blueberries. In addition to causing feeding injuries and deteriorating fruit quality, flower thrips can also transmit viral diseases. While insecticides are the primary tools for controlling flower thrips in blueberries, frequent overuse of insecticides can lead to pesticide resistance problems, increased toxicity to beneficial insects, and environmental contamination. Furthermore, controlling flower thrips during the bloom period presents a serious threat to pollinator health, as they are also active during this time. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a sustainable strategy to control flower thrips populations that minimizes the risks to pollinator health and does not enhance insecticide resistance. This research study investigated the efficacy of commonly used insecticides to control flower thrips in blueberries. The study was conducted in a grower's field in Bacon County, Georgia. The results showed that acetamiprid and spinetoram were effective in controlling both thrips adults and larvae. However, thrips immatures, such as larvae, were found to be more susceptible to insecticides due to their limited mobility. The study also found that multiple sprays may be needed to control the thrips population. Overall, the study provides crucial information about the efficacy of insecticides and the frequency of spray application that will be valuable for blueberry growers in the growing regions.