Effect of Bractedness on Early Season Square Shed Due to Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in Cotton in Arizona

Abstract

Populations of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), were observed in field plots of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., Deltapine-61 (DPL-61) and WC-12NL, a nectariless, okra -leaf variety in the DES -56 germplasm line, and in fields of Stoneville-825 (ST-825), DPL-61, and DP -77 in Maricopa, AZ, during June - August 1987. The thrips were collected from plant terminals; square shed was observed on the upper five nodes of plants; and the bractedness (three-bract = normal) of matchhead-size squares was determined from samples of squares picked from the plants and from shed squares beneath the plants. Shed squares were microscopically examined to determine the cause of shedding. Populations of Lygus hesperus Knight were determined from sweep-net samples.