Insecticidal Management of Thrips in Texas Peanut Fields

Abstract

Studies testing insecticidal compounds against thrips feeding in peanut were conducted at two sites in Texas—Stephenville (Erath County) in the northern region and Pearsall (Frio County) in the southern region. Products tested were aldicarb, acephate and disulfoton in at-plant, sidedress and split applications, and sulfur in split applications. Thrips populations were sampled weekly in terminals and flowers. A weekly census of both the number of terminals and flowers was used to establish absolute population densities of thrips. Control was obtained with all compounds tested except sulfur. However, control in northern Texas was reduced compared to studies conducted in previous years.