A grower, following a devastating loss of a strawberry harvest to insect pests, is trialling a predatory bug as a biological control method. At Bellis Brothers near Wrexham, thrips infestations, particularly from Western flower thrips (WFT) and other species, have previously eradicated a crop valued at £25,000. Adrian Marks, the farm manager, reports annual losses of 5-10% of strawberry yields due to thrips, despite chemical interventions. The search for alternative solutions is pressing, especially given the widespread insecticide resistance among WFT and onion thrips populations.
With support from the Farming Connect 'Try Out Fund', collaboration with ADAS has been initiated to assess the efficacy of Orius laevigatus against thrips. The project, observed by research entomologists Jude Bennison, Andy Gladman, and adviser Chris Creed, aims to establish Orius colonies by integrating alyssum as a companion crop, which serves as a trap for thrips and a habitat for Orius. This approach intends to bolster Orius numbers before thrips attack the flowering strawberries.
Bennison notes that Orius, supplied by Biobest UK Limited, is hoped to transition to the strawberry flowers to mitigate fruit damage. She adds that while predatory mites target thrips larvae, Orius preys on both larvae and adult thrips, offering a more comprehensive control strategy. The trial at Bellis Brothers, which involves four acres of tabletop strawberry cultivation, faces challenges due to the outdoor setting and the UK's cool, early summer climate, which is less than ideal for Orius development.
The initiative reflects a broader effort to reduce chemical dependency in pest management, aligning with environmental sustainability goals. Success in the trial could pave the way for larger-scale implementation of biological control strategies in strawberry farming.
Source: farminguk.com