Chilli Thrips: Biology and Management in the Nursery

UGA Extension contacts:
William Hudson and Shimat Joseph

Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis, is an invasive thrips species in the U.S. Currently, chilli thrips infest more than 150 crops worldwide, including strawberries, cotton, tea, citrus, and peppers, as well as many ornamental plants. The pest has become increasingly problematic in nurseries because of its wide host range, small size, and rapid reproduction and development. Chilli thrips quickly adapt to a new region. They were first detected in the U.S. in Florida in 1991 but did not immediately establish, and in 2005 they were observed on roses in Florida. The pest is also established in Hawaii and throughout the Caribbean Islands. In Georgia, chilli thrips were first reported in 2007.

Published by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information or guidance, contact your local Extension office.

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