A Detailed Guide to Methods for Controlling Corn Thrips Infestation

When thrips appear on corn, the infested seedlings should be pulled out immediately and carried out of the field, which can reduce the spread and damage of thrips. Spraying 10% imidacloprid wettable powder can also effectively kill thrips.

I. Timing of Corn Thrips Infestation

In spring, the yellow thrips first breed and cause damage on wheat and other crops, and afterward some of them gradually move to spring corn. Because the wheat area is relatively large, the main source of thrips for spring corn and mid-season corn is wheat. Generally, from late May to early June there is a nymph peak on wheat and spring corn; in mid-June there is another adult peak on wheat, spring corn and mid-season corn; in late June there is another nymph peak; and in early July there is another adult peak on spring corn, mid-season corn and summer corn. Therefore, for these peaks, measures should be taken promptly according to the pest situation.

II. Characteristics of Corn Thrips Infestation

Thrips prefer dry conditions, and they occur more heavily in low-lying, sheltered and droughty corn fields. Interplanted corn in plots where wheat plants are short and sparse is often damaged more severely. Rainfall from May to July has a relatively large effect on the degree of thrips occurrence, and drought with little rain favors their occurrence. Generally, the number occurring on corn is, in order, spring corn > mid-season corn > summer corn. Although the number of thrips per plant on interplanted mid-season corn is smaller than on spring corn, the damage is more severe, and under conditions of water and fertilizer deficiency the damage is even more severe.

Summary: The above content is an introduction compiled by the editors of Tuliu.com on methods for controlling corn thrips infestation, and we hope it can help those who need it.