Knockdown and Residual Efficacy of Biopesticides and Reduced-Risk Insecticides against Western Flower Thrips in Romaine Lettuce

Abstract

Three separate field trials over two years were conducted to evaluate the comparative knockdown and residual efficacy of several conventional, Reduced risk and biopesticide compounds against western flower thrips in romaine lettuce. These trials consistently demonstrated that both Lannate-pyrethroid combinations and Success provided significant knockdown and residual control of thrips adults and larvae when compared to the other spray biopesticide treatments. Unfortunately, the biopesticide alternatives at best provided poor to marginal efficacy against western flower thrips. The implication of these results on desert lettuce production and resistance management programs is discussed.