Defeating Cotton Thrips: A Guide For Successful Management

If you’re facing concerns about cotton thrips affecting your crop, worry no more. We are here to provide you with valuable information and guidance on how to effectively deal with these pesky insects. You can identify them by their narrow, elongated body and fringed wings. Hot and dry conditions favor the growth and development of thrips. Equip yourself with knowledge by diving into this informative resource and tackle the challenges posed by cotton thrips. 

Type of Infestation

Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from leaves and cause damage to cotton plants. 

Scientific Name: Thrips tabaci  

Most Affected States

We can see cotton thrips in all cotton growing areas, but some of the most affected states include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. 

Symptoms of Cotton Thrips

• Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from the lower and upper surface of the cotton leaves.
• In case of severe infestation, the affected leaves may curl up and crumble.
• During the early stages of an attack, a silvery sheen can be observed on the lower surface of the leaves.
• They also transmit tobacco leaf streak virus in cotton.

Control Measures

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods offer a comprehensive approach to effectively manage and control cotton thrips. This multifaceted strategy encompasses a range of techniques, including cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical measures, providing a holistic solution for thrips control in cotton cultivation. 

Cultural Measures

• Remove weeds and other debris in and around cotton fields regularly to reduce their population.
• Avoid using excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizers, as this can lead to succulent growth which encourages thrips population.
• Maintain healthy plant growth by providing proper irrigation and adequate nutrients, which helps to reduce the impact of thrips on cotton crops.

Mechanical Measures

• Remove and destroy the infested plant parts.
• Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap can be used to control thrips in cotton field. Install 6-8 traps per acre for effective management.

Biological Measures

• Kaybee Pesto Raze Insecticide is a bio pesticide containing botanical extracts, which has contact, partially systemic and fumigant actions on vast class of soft bodied insects including cotton thrips. To effectively control cotton thrips, spray Pesto raze insecticide at the rate of 2 ml per liter of water during early morning or late evening hours.
• Control TRM Bio Pesticide is an organic blend of botanical extracts and alkaloids which has biological and toxicological properties. It is an effective product for controlling cotton thrips. The recommended dosage is 1.5-2 ml per liter of water.
• Greenpeace Neemol Bio Neem Oil Insecticide contains neem-based products azadirachtin which when used at the rate of 1-2 ml per liter of water with 15 days interval between each spray can effectively control thrips in cotton fields.
• Amruth Alestra Liquid and Amruth Almax Liquid are biological insecticides containing the strains of naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi Verticillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana respectively, which comes in contact with the cuticle of the cotton thrips and colonizes them. The recommended dosage is 2 ml per liter of water.

Chemical Measures

If the cotton thrips infestation becomes severe, it is necessary to take action to control their population. One effective approach is the utilization of commercial chemical insecticides. Below are some examples of insecticides commonly employed for controlling cotton thrips: 

Product Name	Technical Content	Dosage
Delegate Insecticide	Spinetoram 11.7 % SC	0.9 ml/lit water
Admire Insecticide	Imidacloprid 70% WG	0.3 gm/lit water
Karate Insecticide	Lambdacyhalothrin 5% EC	1.5 ml/lit water
Nurelle D Insecticide	Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	2 ml/lit water
Katyayani Thioxam	Thiamethoxam 25% WG	0.4 gm/lit water
Shinzen Plus Insecticide	Fipronil 5 % SC	3 ml/lit water
Benevia Insecticide	Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD	1 ml/lit water
Osheen Insecticide	Dinotefuran 20 % SG	0.5 gm/lit water
Keefun Insecticide	Tolfenpyrad 15% EC	1.5-2 ml/lit of water
Anshul Ikon Insecticide	Acetamiprid 20% S.P	0.5 gm/lit of water
Tracer Insecticide	Spinosad 44.03% SC	0.3 ml/lit of water
Tafgor Insecticide	Dimethoate 30% EC	2 ml/lit of water
Marshal Insecticide	Carbosulfan 25% EC	2.5 ml/lit water