Within-Plant Distribution of Thrips Species in Southeastern Cotton

Cotton growers currently rely on neonicotinoid insecticides as seed treatments for thrips control. Foliar applications of neonicotinoid insecticides to control other pests such as plant bugs and stink bugs may further increase selection pressure and contribute to thrips developing resistance.  Information is currently limited on season-long presence, abundance or distribution of thrips on cotton in the southeast.  The objective of this study was to determine the dynamics and within-plant distribution of thrips in southeastern cotton.  Work in 2014 showed that adult and immature thrips are present on cotton plants throughout most of the season.  After the seedling stage, the majority of thrips occurred on flowers, although some were found on terminals, squares, bolls and leaves.  Efforts are underway to identify species, which will help to determine if tobacco thrips, the most important pest species, has a feeding preference and how its populations fluctuate during the season.