General situation with apologies to everyone, we're a little late getting underway this season - a combination of a family health emergency and international travel to an epidemiology workshop.  Temperatures will start rising from tomorrow morning, peaking around 80F on Thursday before settling into a run of days where the maximum will be in the low to mid 70's, with no rain on the forecast.

Thrips development The degree day model is showing that Generation 2 peak egg hatch will be occurring this week.  Based on that, and the 30 year temperature accumulation curve for this time of year, the peak adult activity from that hatch would be expected around May 2nd.  Knocking Generation 2 back would be the earliest intervention that would be likely to have an impact on TSWV spread, but it might be more effective to hold off until Generation 3 is active.  The decision will depend on a few other circumstances.  Consider targeting Generation 2 if: the location of the crop has a history of TSWV; you are already seeing thrips on sticky cards; there are early reports of TSWV in the area. If thrips numbers remain low and other risk factors are not indicating high risk, consider waiting until Generation 3 before investing in control.  Generation 3 adults are projected to peak in the first week of June, so treatments scheduled in the last week of May would be appropriate. We will update the dates in response to the weather over the next 4 weeks.