What are the control methods for thrips pests on melons?

Thrips damage on melons is showing a spreading trend and has risen to become one of the main small pests on protected melons. It has characteristics such as strong concealment and difficulty of control, so early detection and treatment should be carried out in melon greenhouses. So what are the control methods for melon thrips?

1. Agricultural control of melon thrips

Clear weeds and dead branches and fallen leaves from the field, burn them in a centralized manner or bury them deeply, which can eliminate some adults and nymphs.

2. Physical control of melon thrips

Add insect-proof nets at ventilation openings, doors and windows to prevent aphids and thrips outside from entering the greenhouse with airflow; aphids have a habit of being attracted to yellow, and thrips have a habit of being attracted to blue. Setting up yellow and blue sticky insect boards in the field can trap and kill adults. The height of the sticky insect boards should preferably be 10-20 cm from the plant growth point.

3. Biological control of melon thrips

(1) Harmonia axyridis for controlling aphids

When aphids appear sporadically, hang egg cards in the field, 50-60 cards/mu, and fix the egg cards at the petioles of vegetables not directly exposed to sunlight to avoid direct sunlight. When the pest population base is relatively large, mainly release larvae or adults, scattering them on the “central plants”, 2-4 insects per sq m.

(2) Neoseiulus barkeri for controlling thrips

Apply natural enemies in the early stage of pest occurrence when density is low (generally the number of pests per leaf is within 2). When the pest population density is relatively large, first apply a pesticide once for control, and release natural enemies after an interval of 10-15 days. Release 70-100 bags per mu (200 active Amblyseius barkeri per bag). Generally release 2 times throughout the growing season, with an interval of 7-10 days. If chemical insecticides and acaricides need to be used after release to control other pests, they may kill Neoseiulus barkeri, and natural enemies need to be supplementarily released 10-15 days after application.

(3) Orius sauteri for controlling thrips

Apply natural enemies in the early stage of pest occurrence when density is low (generally the number of pests per leaf is within 2). Scatter in the field, on top leaves, near flowers, release in the morning or evening. The first time, in the early flowering period, 2 insects per sq m; the second time, 1 week later, 2-3 insects per sq m.

(4) Biological agents

Options include 60 g/L spinetoram suspension concentrate at 1500-3000 times dilution, or 25 g/L spinosad suspension concentrate at 1000-1500 times dilution, or 1.5% matrine soluble concentrate at 1000-1500 times dilution, or 99% mineral oil at 500-1000 times dilution, etc.

(5) Chemical pesticides

Options include 240 g/L spirotetramat suspension concentrate at 4000-5000 times dilution, 25% thiamethoxam water-dispersible granules at 5000-8000 times dilution, or 50% sulfoxaflor water-dispersible granules at 15000 times dilution, or 10% flonicamid water-dispersible granules at 1500 times dilution, or 25% pymetrozine wettable powder at 3000 times dilution, or 5% acetamiprid wettable powder at 2500 times dilution, etc. for spraying. At the same time, according to the characteristic that thrips hide by day and come out at night, apply the pesticide in the afternoon, and pay attention to rotating or alternating pesticides to delay the development of pesticide resistance.