- Author: Neil McRoberts
The temperature has started climbing over the last week and the next seven days will see figures in the high 70's to mid 80's F. This is the ideal range for thrips development so we can expect the current (second) generation to develop right on schedule. Peak egg hatch is projected to occur right around now (April 23rd) and adults from that hatch will reach peak numbers around May 6th. These thrips are the first generation which will have had a chance to grow on tomato as juveniles this year so, with very low levels of virus around, there is only a small risk of any immediate spread of TSWV. Depending on how much TSWV we see in crops over the next few weeks we'll be able to give an indication of which thrips generation should be targeted for any insecticides that are planned this year. Watch this space.