According to UF/IFAS, high population densities of Asian Bean Thrips (ABT) continue to appear only in isolated locations.
ABT populations have reached 1.0 per bloom early bloom plantings across multiple farms in southeastern Hendry County. In some cases, populations reached as high as 1.7 per bloom.
Populations reached 8.5 per bloom in plantings within a week of harvest. It’s the highest reported outside of Miami-Dade County.
The late increase in population may affect nearby and/or subsequent plantings.
In northern Collier County, ABT has not yet been reported in plants at the early bloom stage or younger. The pest was found for the first time at up to 0.3 ABT per bloom in older plantings.
In eastern Palm Beach County, populations appear to remain low, at less than 0.1 per bloom.
ABT populations were not reported in southern Glades County and southern Martin County. This indications population density is below sampling threshold.