Biological Control and Habitat Management for the Control of Onion Thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in Onion Production in Quebec, Canada

Onion thrips ( ) can pose a significant threat to onion crops, causing leaf damage, reduced bulb size and quality, and yield loss during severe infestations. Conventional insecticide use has been the primary method for managing this pest species, but the efficacy of this approach is inconsistent. Fu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insects (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2024-03, Vol.15 (4), p.232
Main Authors: Gagnon, Annie-Ève, Fortier, Anne-Marie, Audette, Carolane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Barriers
Biological control
Control methods
Crop damage
Crop diseases
Crop yield
Crops
Damage
exclusion net
flower strips
Flowers
Flowers & plants
Habitats
Insecticides
Insects
Kaolin
Leaves
Mineral oils
Nets
onion thrips
Onions
Pest control
pest management
Pest resistance
Pests
Populations
Split-plot design
Straw
straw mulch
Thrips tabaci
Vegetables
Wildlife management
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Summary:Onion thrips ( ) can pose a significant threat to onion crops, causing leaf damage, reduced bulb size and quality, and yield loss during severe infestations. Conventional insecticide use has been the primary method for managing this pest species, but the efficacy of this approach is inconsistent. Furthermore, emerging pest resistance is a growing concern in some regions. This two-year field study aimed to assess the effectiveness of several pest management strategies in controlling onion thrips populations and limiting their impact on onion yields. The strategies tested consisted of habitat manipulations (including flower strips and straw mulch), biological control agents ( , , , and ), as well as physical barrier control methods (exclusion nets, kaolin, and mineral oil). Habitat manipulation techniques, particularly the use of flower strips, reduced thrips populations by up to 50% and increased onion yields by 25%. In contrast, exclusion nets had a detrimental effect on onion yields, and the other alternative control methods produced results comparable to those obtained for untreated controls. When used alone, biological control agents were not effective at maintaining thrips populations below economically damaging levels. This study offers valuable insights into effective and sustainable pest management practices for the onion industry.
ISSN:2075-4450
2075-4450
DOI:10.3390/insects15040232