Product Information

Scolothrips sexmaculatus

Scientific Name:

Order: Thysanoptera
Family: Thripidae
Genus: Scolothrips
Species: sexmaculatus

Common Name: Six-spotted Thrips

Identification: Six-spotted thrips are very small (2-3 mm in length), slender insects with fringe along the edges of their wings. They can be identified from other thrips by three dark spots on each wing cover on the mostly pale yellow adult. Nymphs are translucent white to yellow and are difficult to differentiate from other thrips species.

Host Pest: Two-spotted, Pacific and Willamette Spider Mites (Tetranychus spp.); European Red Mite; Cyclamen Mite

Host Plants: Grapes, Almonds, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums

Life Stage Shipped: All life stages shipped on bean plants.

Development: Egg → Nymph → Adult (Incomplete Metamorphosis)

Mode of Action: Six-spotted thrips nymphs and adults feed on all stages of the pest mites.

Environment: Ideal temperature is 90°F and above with low relative humidity

Pesticides: Use may not be compatible. Request technical information on specific pesticides.

Release: Release rate: 1,000 – 2,000/acre

Release method: Thrips are delivered on bean plants in brown paper bags. One bag has 10,000 thrips on ~ 150 bean plants. Distribute bean plants with six-spotted thrips in hot spots (where pest mite activity is the highest) only; not necessary to release in the entire field because adult thrips can fly.

Release timing: There needs to be a minimum of 5-10 pest mites/leaf to do release; they are a high density predator.

Upon receipt, release thrips as soon as possible.

Storage: Thrips can survive 1 – 2 days in the bag at cool temperatures (55 - 65°F). They can be stored in the refrigerator up to 4 days, but after this period of time, some mortality may be present.