Imidacloprid Application Method Offers Potential One and Done Treatment Option for Control of High Thrips Populations in Upper Southeast
According to a survey of consultants in North Carolina of insect damage rankings, thrips ranked 2nd of the most damaging insect pests. Thrips also ranked 2nd in cost of control for growers in North Carolina due to seed treatment costs embedded into seed prices plus the follow up foliar spray growers have grown accustom to. A screening of thrips control methods, including seed treatments and in-furrow and foliar insecticide applications, was conducted to find the most effective and efficient options for cotton growers. This study showed that an at-planting treatment of imidacloprid in-furrow combined with a seed treatment offered improved control of thrips. This option can offer growers a onetime treatment that does not require a follow up, foliar application, which most other control methods need to remain efficacious through the first 5 weeks after planting for sufficient thrips control.