Beneficials and insecticides in citrus thrips management

Pesticides used against citrus thrips vary considerably in their postapplication residual effect on three beneficial organisms. The four pesticides tested in this study ranged from almost no impact (sabadilla) to a moderately long effect, with 50 percent mortalities occurring as much a month after treatment. This study suggests that, after dimethoate has been used for citrus thrips control, a 10-day postapplication period would be required before releases of Aphytis melinus might result in establishment. A similar period would be required after use of formetanate hydrochloride, a longer period (23 days) after acephate, and no post-application delays following sabadilla.