Something is hiding in the lettuce capital of the world
USA
January 10, 2023
Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) is a pathogen that has emerged as one of the lettuce industry’s top concerns on the Central Coast of California. It's estimated that in 2020 growers suffered as much as $100 million in losses due to INSV.
Thrips are roughly half the size of a grain of rice so it’s hard to believe that an insect this small could do millions of dollars of damage to crops in the Salinas Valley each year. But thanks to research lead by ARS Entomologist, Daniel Hasegawa, along with university, along with university, community, and state partners, we are better understanding how INSV, the disease the thrips carry, is being spread.