Efficacy of a Biopesticide and Predatory Mite to Manage Chilli Thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Strawberry

Abstract

Efficacy of predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) as a biological control agent of chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, was compared to a Capsicum oleoresin extract-based biopesticide,and a conventional insecticide, spinetoram, on entire strawberry (var. 'Radiance') plants with 5 expanded trifoliates under greenhouse conditions. Results indicate that A. swirskii and the biopesticide can be included as effective tools for integrated pest management of S. dorsalis in strawberries.