Missed our Thrips Identification Workshop? “How-to” Videos are Now Available Online!

*Characteristics needed to identify thrips to species.*

Although greenhouse growers’ thoughts in late summer tend to turn to pests of poinsettias, thrips are never fully forgotten (being the #1 pest and all).

Ever since a bunch of new thrips began invading North American greenhouses a few years ago, proper thrips identification has become a necessary evil. If you missed our Vineland/OMAFA Thrips Identification Workshops in 2024, have no fear. Ashley Summerfield from the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has compiled much of the workshop content in a series of easy-to-follow videos. Keep reading for what you’ll need and links to the videos.

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Checking the Quality of Parasitic Wasps

*An Encarsia wasp emerging from a whitefly.*

Poinsettia (and whitefly) season is almost upon us! So we thought it was fitting that this week’s “how-to” video focuses on on-farm quality control tests of parasitic wasps.

We’ve also got a few videos on how to scout your poinsettia crop for whitefly and implementing a whitefly biocontrol program. Although these are older videos, they still have lots of relevant info, especially for those newer to whitefly biocontrol programs.

Keep reading for the videos and links to further readings.

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“How-to” Videos: Checking the Quality of Entomopathogenic Fungi and Nematodes

*Nematodes infecting thrips. Photo by R. Buitenhuis, Vineland.*

In this installment of our “how-to” video series, we’re bringing you two related videos about entomopathogens in the soil.

The first is a new addition that can help you determine if your microbial pesticides are alive and kicking after application. This can be super important after temperature fluctuations like the heat wave we just had.

The second video is an oldie but a goodie. It demonstrates quality control and proper application of parasitic nematodes in potting media.

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Plant Washes and Other Tools to Make Detecting Parvispinus Easier

*OMAFA Summer Student Avery Johnson demonstrating plant washes on-farm.*

In this week’s “how-to” video, we’ll explore using plant washes on-farm.

Plant washes are a simple but effective method to detect low levels of critical pests, such as Thrips parvispinus.

Once you’ve washed out your pests, we’ve also developed a quick “decision tree” to help you easily determine if you’re dealing with Thrips parvispinus or another thrips pest.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and additional resources.

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Checking the Quality of Predatory Biocontrols

In this week’s “how-to” video, we’ll continue exploring how to assess the quality of the biocontrol agents you receive. This video focuses on predators, such as mites, Aphidoletes, Orius, Dalotia (Atheta) and more.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and addional resources. The next few videos will look at quality control guidelines for other types of biocontrol agents, so make sure to subscribe to the blog if you haven’t already!

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Biocontrol Failures – Why Do They Happen?

For the past few weeks we’ve been releasing short videos demonstrating important greenhouse IPM strategies based on current best practices.

In this week’s video, Dr. Rose Buitenhuis from the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre discusses several factors that cause a biocontrol program to fail, and explains the importance of assessing the quality of the biocontrol agents you receive. This is a great video for anyone who’s had ups and downs with their biocontrol program in the past.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and further reading on what can cause a biocontrol program to succeed or fail. The videos for the next several weeks will dive into the details of quality control guidelines for specific natural enemies.

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Monitoring for Pests

Last week we introduced you to the first video in our “how-to” series, designed to demonstrate important greenhouse IPM strategies based on the current information and best practices. This week’s video is about a keystone of IPM: effective monitoring of pests.

With each video being under 10 minutes long, they can be a useful tool in training new staff. They also contain some helpful tricks and tips for more experienced pest management practitioners!

All videos were developed by the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), and are applicable to both greenhouse flower and vegetable producers.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and further reading for successful monitoring. And, stay tuned for next week’s video, all about quality assurance testing of natural enemies!

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Releasing Biocontrol Agents Successfully

The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), has produced a number of videos demonstrating important greenhouse IPM practices.

These videos are based on current information and best practices, and are in an easy-to-follow format. Better yet, they are all under 10 minutes long!

Each week, we’ll be releasing a new video. All videos in the series are applicable to both greenhouse floriculture and vegetable pest management.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and further reading for successful IPM!

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Ramping up thrips biocontrol BEFORE they get out of control!

WFT on hibiscus_Caitlin McDonald_1 — Western flower thrips adult on an open Mandevilla flower. Photo credit: Caitlin MacDonald, USEL student.

Now that the warm weather is finally upon us, it’s time to start worrying about thrips control.

What we’ve learned over the years is that pesticides just don’t cut it – the only reliable chemical for western flower thrips in Ontario is DDVP, which requires constant application. This means biological control is your best bet. Here’s a summary of the most effective tools, tricks, and timing, to ensure your biocontrol dollars are well spent.

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“Bug Dorms” – an incredibly useful tool to help answer pest questions in your greenhouse

Bugdorm1 — A basic “Bug Dorm” from Bioquip.

Today I want to share with you one of my favourite things of all time – the Bug Dorm. Basically a mini, insect-proof tent, Bug Dorms are an amazingly useful tool for conducting quick-and-dirty experiments in your greenhouse. By containing (or excluding) insects, they can help growers answer SPECIFIC pest questions in their SPECIFIC crop or operation, without needing to wait for researchers to find the answers.

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