Application strategy for the chemical control of pea (Pisum sativum L.) crops against Thrips tabaci Lindeman, 1889 (Thysanoptera)

Abstract

In Poland chemical control of thrips in pea crops currently relies on insecticides with several modes of action, including pyrethroids (deltamethrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin) and neonicotinoids. The first insecticide treatment is recommended to be applied during the full bloom of pea plants and the second two repeated at intervals of 7 days. Field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Station in Mydlniki (near Kraków, southern Poland) over two years (2011 and 2012). Acetamiprid (neonicotinoid) (trade name Mospilan 20 SP) was used to control thrips on peas in the experiment. The results suggest that the conventional spray regime consisting of one weekly application of Mospilan 20 WP starting at full flowering can be replaced by one treatment at the beginning of flowering.