Problems With Rust Thrips In Your Banana Plantation?

Adult rust thrips like this one (above) as well as nymphs, cause damage by scarring and staining bananas. Shield® provides effective control (see graph) on rust thrips by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses. Photo by Dr. Cheryle A. O’Donnell, courtesy of National Identification Services, USDA APHIS PPQ PHP

Put Up Your Shield®.

banana_rust_thrips chartRust thrips spend most of their life cycle on the fruit or in other parts of the banana plant. Thrips cause damage by scarring, staining, and even deforming banana fruits by feeding on the tender green skin of young and developing fruits. As a consequence, the injury marks on the fruit signifi­cantly affect marketability. Banana plantations must have a plan that controls thrips to minimize harm to the crop.

Adults and nymphs cause the damage. Early symptoms appear as water-soaked smoky areas where the colonies congregate to feed and deposit eggs. As the fruit develops, discolored areas appear, typically rusty-red to dark brown or black.

Shield® Systemic Insecticide provides long-lasting, systemic control of rust thrips (also known as flower thrips) in bananas. Shield® Insecticide from Sumitomo Chemical is a systemic solution that quickly penetrates the plant, ready for ingestion by rust thrips. The mode of action of Shield® brings about interference in the transmission of nerve impulses among target pests. Research has shown long-term efficacy. Shield® activity is unaffected by soil type and the product has low toxicity to many non-target species and low toxicity to mammals.

Make The Most of Your Shield®

  • Apply to the base of a follower plant when they reach a height of about 1.5 meters to the throat of the plant (base of the central cigar leaf).
  • For best results, apply within one month of the mother plant being harvested or of nurse suckering.
  • Avoid applying if heavy rain is expected within 24 hours.
  • Alternate Shield® with a product from a different group to reduce the possibility of developing resistance.
  • Always read and follow label directions.