Current management practices for avocado thrips rely on the use of foliar insecticides. However, the number of products is limited, the mode of application can be difficult (helicopter use on steep hillsides, applications near urban regions, potential for groundwater contamination), and there are risks
of resistance development, particularly to abamectin (Agri-Mek and generics) due to it also being used against persea mite during the summer. Systemic neonicotinoid insecticides are relatively easy to apply and represent a mode of action that has not been in use for the management of avocado thrips.
A new mode of action would substantially lower the resistance risk associated with abamectin, and alleviate operational difficulties in the use of foliar treatments. In this project, we are evaluating several members of the neonicotinoid insecticide class as potential control agents for avocado pests. In particular, there are several methods by which these chemicals can be applied to trees to achieve systemic uptake, and we are comparing the efficacy of each of these methods to determine which is most effective. We conduct our research in commercial avocado groves so that our evaluations are realistic and relevant to California growers and grove conditions.
