Belleglade, Florida, USA
February 6, 2025
Damage caused by Thrips parvispinus, an invasive insect, is costing vegetable and ornamental plant producers millions of dollars. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research is providing the University of Florida a $137,441 Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to develop tactics that control the pest. The University of Florida and Bedner Growers, Inc. are providing matching funds for a total investment of $274,882.
The first recorded observation of T. parvispinus in the continental United States was in Florida in 2020. By 2022, Florida’s vegetable farms and ornamental plant nurseries were experiencing significant damage, with one pepper grower alone reporting estimated losses of $1 million to T. parvispinus. The insect has since spread to seven states and poses a serious threat to vegetable production, especially peppers. Little is known about conditions that favor the insect or how to effectively manage it.
Researchers led by Dr. De-Fen Mou, assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida, are monitoring T. parvispinus in vegetable crops to better understand how it chooses host crops. Additionally, the research team is evaluating pesticide efficacy in peppers to identify an effective chemical control program.
Considering that T. parvispinus was first reported in 2020 and already caused tremendous economic losses in 2022, this invasive pest poses an imminent threat to vegetable production in Florida. However, a management program for T. parvispinus has not yet been developed, leaving vegetable producers struggling to combat this thrips. A rapid response is crucial to prevent further economic damage to the vegetable industries. By monitoring T. parvispinus populations in vegetable crops, investigating host preferences and conducting insecticide trials, we aim to mitigate the impacts of T. parvispinus on the vegetable industry.
De-Fen Mou, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Entomology, University of Florida
Research findings will be disseminated to growers, industry and the scientific community through meetings, workshops, field days, extension and scientific publications. For more information about this research, visit the Protecting Vegetable Crops from Thrips Parvispinus grant page on FFAR’s website.
FFAR’s ROAR program rapidly funds research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the U.S. food supply or agricultural systems.
Farmers are reporting financial losses caused by T. parvispinus ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. At a time when producers are facing several challenges to their bottom lines, ROAR’s unique rapid response capabilities is providing vegetable crops and ornamental plant growers with the tools they need to protect their livelihoods.
Angela Records, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
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