Large Plot Evaluation of Monitor for Control of Western Flower Thrips and Two Spotted Spider Mites, 1986

Two large plot field tests were conducted on commercial farms near Shreveport, LA, to evaluate the effectiveness of Monitor (4EC) for control of western flower thrips and twospotted spider mites. Plots were ca. 20 acres in size except for the untreated plot on the Rich farm which measured about 5 acres. Treatments (rates of Monitor) were replicated once on each farm and data from each farm were analyzed separately using one-way ANOVA. Treatments were applied aerially in 3 gal of water/acre on the Connell farm and in 1 gal of water/acre on the Rich farm. Western flower thrips per bloom were estimated by visually examining 25 randomly selected white blooms per treatment on each sampling date. Numbers of thrips per leaf were estimated by visually examining the underside of the third fully expanded leaf below the terminal from 25 randomly selected plants per treatment. Spider mite populations were estimated by counting the number of mites (with the aid of a binocular microscope) within a 1 cm2 area at the base of the petiole of the third fully expanded leaf from the terminal of 10 randomly selected plants per treatment.