Thrips infesting the tips of asparagus spear
Keywords:
onion thrips, <i>Thrips tabaci</i>, flower thrips, <i>Frankliniella tritici</i>Abstract
The onion thrips, <i>Thrips tabaci</i> Lind., and the flower thrips, <i>Frankliniella tritici</i> (Fitch), mainly from <i>varicornis</i> Bagnall, were found in the tips of asparagus spears from commercial fields in the southern interior of British Columbia. Both species occurred in about equal numbers except in one area, where <i>F. tritici</i> from <i>varicornis</i> was the more abundant species. Only adults were found. These migrant thrips do not damage the spears but are a potential source of contamination in the processed product. Thrips were most abundant in spears with loose or "blown" tips. In all areas the highest infestations of thrips in the spears occurred in fields with heavy weed cover. The weed cover and bordering forage crops, including alfalfa, provided a constant source of infestation. Increased numbers of thrips in spears coincided with increased daily temperatures and cutting of bordering forage crops. Effective weed control reduced the numbers of thrips infesting the spears.
References
Michelbacher, A.E. and O.G. Bacon. 1949. Thrips on asparagus. J. Econ. Entomol. 42:849-50.
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