Bean Flower Thrip management

Anything to do with growing herbs and vegetables goes here.
Post Reply
User avatar
Weedo
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 605
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:47 am
latitude: 35.0886S
longitude: 147.1289E
Location: Collingullie Australia

Bean Flower Thrip management

Post: # 290698Post Weedo »

Anyone have ideas (non-chemical) on managing Bean Flower thrip? My dwarf beans have been hit heavily the past 2 weeks. The result is distorted and small beans which are still edible but much less prolific. Pyrethrum seems to have some effect but not a lot. I think I will pull all the affected dwarf beans out, solarise the material then replant using a different variety.
Don't let your vision cloud your sight

User avatar
Green Aura
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9313
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:16 pm
latitude: 58.569279
longitude: -4.762620
Location: North West Highlands

Re: Bean Flower Thrip management

Post: # 290700Post Green Aura »

There's some good management info here although they suggest spraying is the only reliable solution
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/asset ... FS-web.pdf

It's quite interesting they use the yellow sticky traps for information rather than trapping - another site suggested different colours - yellow, green or blue would attract different species of thrip and trap them so I don't know if that's of any use.

The general info though suggests keeping a clear - flower-free area around and general disposal hygiene. Which sort of buggers up any mixed planting plans. I did wonder if splitting your plants up in a mixed plot, rather like masking carrots with other plants to deter root fly, might hide them, but I suppose if they live in other flowering plants too it wouldn't help.

Sorry that's probably not much help. :dontknow:
Maggie

Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin

User avatar
diggernotdreamer
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 1861
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:23 pm
Location: North West Ireland

Re: Bean Flower Thrip management

Post: # 290702Post diggernotdreamer »

Can you use a biological control ? a predator of some sort

User avatar
Weedo
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 605
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:47 am
latitude: 35.0886S
longitude: 147.1289E
Location: Collingullie Australia

Re: Bean Flower Thrip management

Post: # 290704Post Weedo »

Thanks Maggie
It does seem that chemical spraying is the only thorough solution
I think my major problem will be re-invasion as there are a lot of broad acre crops around me that have the pest (chick pea, field peas, faba bean, lupin etc). One organic grower site suggests spraying with soap solution; perhaps I will try this on the new crop (or maybe a stronger surfactant). I pulled the old crop out yesterday and gave them to the horses over the fence.
Don't let your vision cloud your sight

Post Reply