Tackling Japanese flower thrips in protected ornamental and herb crops

A new thrips species has been confirmed on protected crops in the UK. Primarily on ornamentals, including primrose and cyclamen, the pest has also been noted on pot herb crops, including basil and rosemary. However, the pest has a wide host range including cucumber, lettuce, pepper, strawberry and tomato.

Identified as Japanese flower thrips (Thrips setosus), the thrips species is not native to the UK but is not currently classified as a notifiable quarantine species. Originally from South-East Asia, it has also been recorded in a number of Northern European countries. It was first detected in the Netherlands in 2014 on hydrangea, and in 2016 in the UK on poinsettia.

To understand more about the biology of Thrips setosus and ultimately improve control measures, as well as potential IPM-compatible control measures.