Detailed spatiotemporal patterns of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and thrips vectors across tomato and pepper fields in eastern North Carolina

Spatiotemporal patterns of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and vector species of thrips were studied in commercial tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) fields in eastern North Carolina. Several pepper and tomato plots of 500 plants (50 plants/row, 10 rows wide) within separate commercial fields were sampled every other week in 2007. Individual plants were scored for tomato spotted wilt and TSWV was confirmed by ELISA on plot subsamples. To study thrips movement, we placed 15 yellow, directional sticky traps just above the canopy of the plants and adjusted trap height with plant growth. Four non-directional traps were placed around each field to compare temporal changes of thrips composition inside and outside of a plot. Foliage and blossom samples were taken to study thrips composition and population on the plants. Spatiotemporal patterns were analyzed and are discussed with special consideration to implications of within-field TSWV spread.