Many cotton
acres in north Alabama are being treated for thrips as large numbers move from
grass to cotton plants in the first to second true leaf stage. Thrips collected
from a cotton field in Lawrence county on May 15 were mainly Tobacco thrips (
Frankliniella fusca) and Flower thrips (Frankliniella tritici) (usually called
Eastern flower thrips). Soybean thrips (Neohydatothrips variabolis) and Western
flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) were also present but in much lower
numbers. However, the proportion of each species in other fields could be
different. Pyrethroids and organophosphates are the primary classes of
chemistry being applied this week for thrips control in cotton. Spider mites
are present in many fields and the foliar applications of these two types of
chemicals for thrips may flare spider mites and farmers and consultants should
monitor fields closely. Foliar chemicals for thrips are frequently being
applied in a tank mix with a herbicide and growers/consultants should read the
herbicide label carefully to insure that the insecticide and herbicide can be
tank mixed. Adverse interactions between some tank mixed insecticides and
herbicides can result in crop injury.
Written By Tim Reed and Barry Freeman, Extension Entomologists.
