New Zealand Plant Protection 54 (2001): 10-14
Alternative strategies to control New Zealand flower thrips on nectarines
G.F. McLaren and J.A. Fraser
ABSTRACT
Experiments conducted in both spring and preharvest (summer) aimed to prevent damage to nectarines caused by New Zealand flower thrips Thrips obscuratus and to minimise quarantine problems caused by thrips on export fruit. Reflective mulch and three insecticide programmes were compared with the standard tau-fluvalinate/chlorpyrifos programme in spring. Abamectin, spinosad and Pyrethrum PlusŪ reduced spring damage but none was more effective than the existing standard. At harvest time, carbaryl and spinosad plus Nu-film-17 reduced thrips numbers 3 days after treatment, but carbaryl was the only effective insecticide after 5 days. Reflective mulch reduced thrips numbers in spring and preharvest, providing a non-chemical alternative for thrips control. However, supplementary control measures would be needed for this treatment to meet quarantine standards at harvest time. Alternative spring and preharvest programmes for both Integrated Fruit Production and organic systems are suggested for nectarines, but registration is necessary before some insecticides can be used on summerfruit.
Keywords: Thrips, nectarines, insecticides, reflective mulch, fruit damage.
Copyright © 2001 New Zealand Plant Protection Society (Inc.).
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