Evaluation of Foliar and Infurrow Insecticides for Control of Thrips on Cotton in Mississippi, 1995

Abstract

Insecticides were evaluated at the Plant Science Research Farm, Mississippi State, MS, in a RCB design with 4 replications. Plot size was 4 rows wide (38 inch spacing) by 50 ft long with 4 unsprayed buffer rows between plots. Insecticides applied in-furrow at planting on 10 May were applied with belt cone applicators (Temik 15G) or by CO2-powered plot applicators with a single 9001VF flat fan nozzle per row turned to direct the spray into the seed furrow and calibrated to apply 10 gpa at 2 mph (Orthene 90S at 1.1 lb[AI]/acre and Admire 2F). Insecticides were applied on 7 Jun with a high clearance spray tractor equipped with two TX4 hollow cone nozzles spaced at 19 inches and calibrated for 5 gpa at a pressure of 35 psi and a speed of 4 mph. Carrier of the insecticides was water, with an initial pH of 8.0. Five plants/plot were collected at random by cutting plants at ground level with scissors and gently placing them in Ziploc bags for transportation to the lab. Samples were then washed with a mixture of Clorox, water and a drop of dishwashing detergent into a sieve with 125 micron openings. Thrips were then washed onto filter paper for counting, and adults were identified to species by use of a dissection microscope. Representative insects were identified to species by use of phase contrast microscopy. Plots were not harvested.

Behavioral Responses of Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Tarnished Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) to a New Bt Toxin, Cry51Aa2.834_16 in Cotton

“…Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are the most important insect pests of seedling cotton in the Mid-Southern United States (Cook 2018). The tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is the dominant species found on cotton in the Mid-South (Reed and Jackson 2002, Layton and Reed 2002, Cook et al 2003, Reed et al 2006), often composing more than 90% of all thrips collected on seedling cotton (Reed et al 2006, Stewart et al 2013). When left untreated, thrips injury can lead to stunted growth, delayed maturity, reduced stands, and yield loss (Layton and Reed 2002, Stewart and Lentz 2010).…”