Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 4/26/20


According to Dr. Edmisten and Collins, planting conditions might improve for safe planting around May 3. With planters rolling soon, we urge growers to think about thrips management now.

The best source of information for thrips activity is the Thrips Infestation Predictor. This online tool forecasts risk for thrips damage. Based on planting date, it can help growers know where to aggressively use insecticide and where to hold back, as well as where they might want to start scouting first on the farm. Growers should check this tool now to get a feeling for what infestation risk might look like for a given location and planting date. Also, since it’s based on local weather conditions, the tool’s accuracy improves closer to planting. So growers should check it just prior to planting, as well as after planting.

We also want to demonstrate why it’s so important for growers to check the tool for their farm. Here is the risk forecast for planting cotton May 2 near Edenton:

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