Treatment Thresholds for Tetranychus pacificus (Acari: Tetranychidae) in California Almonds Based on Monitoring for the Natural Enemy Scolothrips sexmaculatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Optimization of integrated pest management for Pacific spider mite, Tetranychus pacificus McGregor, in California almonds requires that miticide applications be delayed as long as possible to promote biological control, while still occurring before exponential mite increases cause defoliation. We used data from twelve untreated almond orchards between 2006 and 2019 to determine that decisions to treat T. pacificus should be made on the first monitoring date with 1.

Field Biology of Scolothrips sexmaculatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) as a Predator of Tetranychus pacificus (Acari: Tetranychidae) in California Almonds.

Biological control of tetranychid spider mites in California almonds has predominantly been associated with predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae. However, changes in production practices, including shifts to more sustainable chemical control programs, have resulted in a trophic shift leading to the predominance of six-spotted thrips, Scolothrips sexmaculatus Pergande, as the primary mite predator. Over a 3-yr period, we studied S.

Management of Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Using Four Commercial Mating Disruption Systems in California Almonds.

The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), is the most significant pest of California almonds. Direct feeding on the kernel by the larvae causes reductions in salable crop, crop quality, and exportability. Pheromone mating disruption (MD) targeting navel orangeworm is a relatively new technique with the potential to improve management.

Evaluation of Sticky Traps for Monitoring Scolothrips sexmaculatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Stethorus punctum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as Predators of Spider Mites in California Almonds.

Changes in almond production practices have caused sixspotted thrips, Scolothrips sexmaculatus Pergande, and the coccinellid beetle, Stethorus punctum LeConte, to replace phytoseiid mites as the dominant predators of spider mites in California almonds. We conducted a series of field studies to evaluate nine commercially available adhesive traps for S. sexmaculatus and S.

Impact of Citrus Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the Growth and Productivity of Southern Highbush Blueberries in California.

Citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton), is a foliage-feeding pest of blueberries in the San Joaquin Valley of California. We conducted a 4-yr field study to determine the type and amount of damage caused by this species. Using pesticides, we established gradients of citrus thrips in commercial blueberry fields near Richgrove, CA, in the fall of 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2014.