Tobacco thrips numbers spiked on yellow sticky traps on 10 April, but numbers were down again on 17 April (last Friday). The drop in trap captures is likely related to the abundant rain that fell last week. What does this mean for growers? It means that thrips are around and moving and that we should not be surprised to see thrips infestations and feeding injury on unprotected host plant species (like peanut). Warmer temperatures thus far in 2015 would lead us to predict earlier thrips flights than in 2013 and 2014, and that looks to be happening. How the recent rainfall will affect timing of thrips dispersal and size of populations is unknown. The bottom line has not changed: growers need to monitor seedling peanuts for thrips and thrips feeding damage.
These data are being provided for informational purposes only and may not be representative of thrips dispersal at your location. Peanut fields should be scouted regularly to quantify actual thrips populations.
If you have questions about thrips or thrips management please contact your local county Extension agent.