Aphids and thrips are two of the most challenging insects in ornamental plant production. Along with the physical damage they can cause, some species can transmit plant viruses, leading to further plant damage. Prevention is the key to optimizing your control. If action is taken too late and populations have established, curative applications can be costly and unsuccessful.

Understanding Aphids

Aphids have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they insert in the phloem and extract plant sap, which affects the overall vigor of plants. Both adults and nymphs can cause damage, which can include:

• Reduced leaf expansion
• Chlorotic spots on top sides of leaves
• Leaf discoloration or silvering
• Leaf loss
• Honeydew secretions that may result in black sooty mold on leaf surfaces

Scouting for Thrips

Thrips are tiny, elongated insects that are attracted to flowering plants and feed on pollen and flower petals. In the absence of flowers, they feed on other tender plant tissue such as young foliage and buds.

They scrape and pierce plant tissue, then suck out the sap and cellular contents from leaf tissue, flower buds and/or unexpanded shoot tips. This can cause leaf stippling (silvery streaking), scarring and distortion.

In addition to physical injury, several thrips species can transmit tospoviruses, such as impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) and tomato-spotted wilt virus (TMSV), which can quickly spread throughout the greenhouse.

Prevention with Mainspring GNL and Endeavor

Mainspring^® GNL insecticide is a powerful prevention tool to keep populations of aphids and thrips from reaching damaging levels. From the diamide class of chemistry (IRAC 28), it provides extended protection as a drench through systemic movement (8-12 weeks of control) or as a foliar spray applied on a 14-day interval. Mainspring GNL stops insect feeding shortly after ingestion, which limits damage to the plant and disease transmission.

Endeavor^® insecticide belongs to a unique class of chemistry that eliminates aphids. It provides residual control by quickly inhibiting insect feeding. Endeavor is rainfast shortly after application and quickly becomes available to targeted pests at their feeding sites. As a spray, Endeavor provides 14-21 days of aphid control and up to seven weeks of control as a drench.

Stay ahead of these challenging insects by downloading our thrips guide and aphids guide.

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