Controlling Echinothrips americanus with predatory mites and bugs : growing problem in ornamentals under glass

As every grower knows, thrips are a huge problem in ornamentals grown under glass. The usual suspect is the Californian thrips, a species with a strong preference for flowers. But in recent years another polyphagous thrips has been increasingly raising its head: Echinothrips americanus. Without timely intervention, this typical leaf-dwelling thrips can cause considerable damage to ornamentals such as gerbera and rose. Scientists have been taking another close look at how to control this thrips with a range of species of predatory mites and bugs.