This mix of beneficial insects keeps thrips under control in strawberries

With temperatures rising, thrips pressure in strawberry crops is increasing. The thrips population, especially in everbearers, can grow explosively. In addition to using predatory mites, growers can prevent damage to crops by also introducing the predatory bug Orius-System − explains Eline Braet, Crop Specialist Berries at Biobest Group.

“As everbearers are continuously in bloom, thrips can cause a great deal of damage,” she says.  "The flowers affected grow into misshapen and bronze-coloured strawberries, which cannot be sold. It is important for growers to ensure a strong population of beneficial insects which can handle all stages of thrips."

Combination of beneficials
Eline explains that at the beginning of the cultivation season most growers introduce sachets containing predatory mites that feed on thrips larvae. Some growers rely on Amblyseius-System, while others introduce Swirskii-System. "We recommend introducing predatory mites weekly to maintain optimal levels of these effective predatory mites,” says Eline.  “However, now that thrips pressure is increasing, we recommend also using Orius-System. This predatory bug eats thrips larvae as well as adults. For best results, we recommend growers to introduce Orius-System in small piles throughout the crop. The quantities needed depend on the pest pressure – which is best discussed with your Biobest Advisor."

Scouting and sticky traps
Of course, optimising pest control always begins with monitoring. "By shaking out several flower clusters, growers can gain good insight into the presence of thrips,’ says Eline. “Especially now that temperatures are rising, it is important to scout crops carefully. We also advise hanging up sticky traps or rolls."

Press releases: Biobest Group N.V.

Read more:

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA’s Bangkok Meet Up Returns with ASEAN Focus

16 January 2025

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA‘s Meet Ups are back in 2025 with the fourth station set at Bangkok. Well located at the centre of South East Asia, the Bangkok Meet Up offers the perfect opportunity for deep dive and direct interaction with the epic and highly dynamic ASEAN market, specifically Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The one-day event on 25 June, hosted at the Carlton Hotel Sukhumvit, kicks off with a supplier showcase where leading companies present the latest products and solutions to local and key regional buyers. »

Discover the Agora conference programme - Medfel show opens its doors in 4 months

17 December 2024

At the heart of the show, the Agora conferences will be the perfect opportunity to decipher the major issues facing professionals in the sector. Hosted by Florence Rabut and Olivier Masbou, journalists and experts in the sector, the round tables will address 4 fascinating and particularly topical themes: Processing: developing French origin in processed F&V. It's a firmly-established trend: the proportion of processed products in food purchases is increasing »

Opening the Chinese market raises prospects exports

17 December 2024

Termotécnica, the largest manufacturer of storage solutions in EPS (better known as Styrofoam*), packaging in Latin America and leader in Brazil, celebrated the recent signing of the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Grapes from Brazil to China, signed by the Brazilian and Chinese authorities. With this protocol, a channel for exporting grapes to the Asian country has been opened. According to the latest IBGE Census, in 2023, 1,757,891 tons were produced in Brazil, moving the fruit chain. »