New Chilli Thrips Ovicidal Efficacy Program Announced

Florida Ag Research announced a new insecticide screening program for testing ovicidal efficacy against Chilli Thrips for the Florida strawberry industry. Candidate active ingredients include currently registered and new insecticides, acaricides, or other products that can disrupt the pest early in its life cycle. This Fall and continuing through Spring 2026, our Florida entomology team will be conducting focused laboratory and field bioassays that can provide manufacturers with confidential data of a product’s potential utility as a thrips ovicide.

As with other thrips species, Chilli Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) inserts its eggs into leaf tissue where they are protected against most insecticide sprays and biological controls. In this scenario, new larvae continually hatch unchecked, infesting plant canopies and causing direct damage to the harvested crop. In contrast, ovicides strengthen commercial control programs by eliminating a critical pest life stage, which may lead to a reduction in the number of thrips sprays needed, conservation of biological controls, and improvement in resistance management (longevity) of products now in use.

In addition to Chilli Thrips, ovicidal efficacy testing is also available for Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and several other key insect pests.

Florida Ag Research combines state-of-the-art facilities with decades of expertise in entomology, greenhouse and field research, and custom bioassay designs. Our mission is to deliver independent, science-driven insights that manufacturers of ag products can use to refine their portfolios and ultimately contribute to commercial IPM strategies worldwide.