Damage potential and management of thrips on Arkansas grown cowpea

Throughout the growing seasons of 2007 and 2008 field studies were conducted to determine the amount of damage caused to cowpeas, Vigna unguiculata (L.), by tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), at various planting dates. In-plant distribution data for adults as well as immature thrips were collected and a greenhouse study was also carried out to correlate population densites of F. fusca to damage. It was found that the highest damage ratings occurred in June planting dates and lowest ratings later in the season. The greenhouse experiment showed that cowpea damage is positively correlated to the presence of F. fusca.