Efficacy of Treated Seed, Granular, and Foliar Insecticides Against Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella Occidentalis, in Seedling Pima and Acala Cotton in the San Joaquin Valley

Western Flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) feed on leaves and buds and may cause seedling cotton leaves to become distorted and severely deformed.  Without the use of effective insecticides and following a defined management plan, thrips can negatively impact yields.

Field research was conducted at the Cotton Research Station in Shafter, California. Three approaches were used. Research was conducted 1.) to evaluate the efficacy of Temik applied at planting, 2.) to evaluate the activity of several foliar treatments applied at first true leaf and 3.) the use of Orthene treated seeds at planting  on the activity against early- season thrips on Acala and Pima cotton seedlings in 2011. The effects of the treatments on thrips populations, early-season plant growth, and on seasonal plant development and maturity were monitored.