It is unknown if Thripobius will parasitize avocado thrips. As with predators, thrips parasitoids are a valuable element of the natural enemy fauna attacking avocado thrips. Compatible insecticides have short residual activity, or are non-toxic to natural enemies. The botanical insecticide sabadilla, is compatible with natural enemies because it has short residual activity and is not toxic to natural enemies. Biological control agents can be protected in refuges.
Untreated trees provide refuges for natural enemies from where they can recolonize sprayed areas.
Insecticide resistance is the developed ability of an insect population to withstand insecticides that were formerly effective. The rate at which resistance develops in a population is related to intensity of insecticide use. Recommendations for insecticidal control of avocado thrips will improve as knowledge on biology and phenology of avocado thrips and its natural enemies increases, when key natural enemies are screened for susceptibility to registered insecticides, and as results of insecticide field trials are analyzed. Background Reading Hunter, C. D. 1994. Suppliers of beneficial organisms in North America.