Thrips parvispinus was first detected in the United States in 2020 on ornamentals in central Florida. This species was recently collected on peppers in eastern Palm Beach County.

Scouts have reported that T. parvispinus is causing substantial damage in multiple young and mature pepper plantings in the region. Other fields have had low levels of crop damage. Reports indicate insecticide rotations are helping to reduce populations.

Reports from southwest Florida indicate that samples submitted for species identification have not yet been positive for T. parvispinus.

The injury on pepper leaves is similar to the injury caused by broad mites. According to the FDACS-DPI Pest Alert, in regions where the species has been long established, the crops most affected are papaya, peppers, potatoes, eggplants, beans, shallots, and strawberries. In Indonesia, pepper yield losses associated with T. parvispinus could reach 23 percent. (FDACS PEST ALERT - Thrips parvispinus).

An updated Pest Alert from FDACS-DPI is coming soon, as well as an identification guide. If you suspect T. parvispinus in your crop, please contact Anna Meszaros: ameszaros@ufl.edu or Craig Frey: craigfrey@ufl.edu for sampling and confirmation.
 

In southwest Florida, reports indicate high levels of whitefly in many tomato, eggplant, watermelon, and squash plantings. Adults continue to find new plantings of tomato and melons very quickly.

On the East Coast, whitefly populations continue to be moderate to high in many crops.

Reports from Homestead indicate that whitefly populations are high in a variety of crops. Whitefly is the primary pest in tomato, with TYLCV reaching 30-50% in susceptible varieties. In snap beans, reports indicate whiteflies are causing pale pods around field edges and BGMV is high in fields of continuous whitefly pressure. Whiteflies were also reported to be high in eggplant and squash.

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Caterpillars have decreased across the area.

In southwest Florida, populations are generally moderate to low. Southern armyworm are reported to be low to moderate in beans while lesser cornstalk borers are reported to be low. In corn, fall armyworm is reported to be low to moderate and corn earworm is reported to be low. Loopers, southern armyworms, beet armyworms, and melon worms have also been reported at low levels in various crops.

In the EAA, Diamondback moth is maintaining a steady low pressure in broccoli. In corn, lesser cornstalk borers are reported at moderate levels in a few isolated fields while armyworms are low to moderate.

In Homestead, fall armyworm was reported to be sporadic in corn and beet armyworm continues to be reported in pepper.

Overall, leafminer pressure has increased across much of the region since the cold temperatures a few weeks ago. 

In southwest Florida, leafminers were reported to have increased to moderate to high levels in tomato and cucurbits. Leafminers are also reported on eggplant and squash in the region. On snap beans, reports indicate pressure is mostly low.

At EREC, leafminer populations are low but increasing.
 

In Homestead, leafminers are reported at medium/high levels in squash and snap bean. In some areas, they are predominately in the younger snap bean plantings.
 

In southwest Florida, pepper weevils are mostly at low levels, but seem to be increasing.

Weevils are also reported to be present on peppers in Homestead.
 

Dr. German Sandoya, UF/IFAS lettuce breeder at EREC, reports cucumber beetles in lettuce at greater populations than usual for this time of year, with populations currently at moderate levels. 
 

In the EAA, silk fly in corn is low to moderate depending on the location. The slightly above-average populations may be related to the unusually warm temperatures for this season.

There have been low populations of silk fly adults and maggots reported in corn in Homestead.
 

Aphids are reported at low levels in beans and tomato in southwest Florida and they are at low levels in cabbage in the EAA.

In southwest Florida, broadmite populations have oscillated lately, and are currently low to moderate and on a downward trend.

Broadmites are also reported on pepper and eggplant in Homestead. Mites are present on watermelon crops in the region.
 

In Homestead, bean golden mosaic virus has increased in fields with continuous whitefly pressure. 

Bacterial spot is reported to be low in pepper in southwest Florida. In tomato, it is increasing and reported to be at medium to high incidence depending on the affected variety.

In Homestead, the disease has increased to very high levels.