Biological control of chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on peppers by Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, recently established in southeast of the United States poses an important threat to agronomic and ornamental plants. It is a highly polyphagous and invasive pest. We evaluated biological control of chilli thrips by two promising predators, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot and Orius insidiosus (Say) on five pepper varieties. We compared chilli thrips populations exposed to A. swirskii and O. insidiosus individually and in combination. Preliminary results indicate that both of the predators were highly effective in controlling chilli thrips. Chilli thrips damage on treated pepper plants was minimum. We found no significant interaction between A. swirskii and O. insidiosus for controlling chilli thrips when released together.