New bio-control agents for Western Flower Thrips on protected strawberry

Strawberry production in the UK has expanded with increased late-season production under Spanish tunnels. One pest that is becoming increasingly difficult to control is western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis, which is showing resistance to available pesticides, including spinosad. Feeding by the pest on the flowers and developing fruits leads to bronzing of the fruit, which can cause downgrading to class 2 or, in severe cases, to crop losses. Current commercially available bio-control agents, such as the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris, can suppress the pest, especially if applied early in the season as a preventative measure. However, these are not able to suppress thrips populations once they have increased later in the season.

This project aims to identify potential predators not currently exploited for WFT control that could be incorporated into a bio-control programme for the pest. The efficacy of these predators will be determined in controlled environment conditions typical of those found under Spanish tunnels. Predators may include those that are currently recommended for use on other crops which may also be effective in protected strawberry. Other naturally occurring predators of WFT in crops and surrounding habitats will also be identified.