Student Poster Display
Plant-Insect Ecosystems
Student
Student Competition
Arnold Ariel Gomez (he/him/his)
Graduate Student
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
Ashley B. Leach
Assistant Professor
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
Pepper is a high-value specialty crop in the Midwest, generating more than $20 million annually. Flower thrips pose a significant threat to pepper yield by feeding on the fruit and transmitting viral pathogens. Thrips populations can be managed effectively through the use of natural enemies such as minute pirate bugs, lady beetles, and lacewing larvae. Additionally, thrips are negatively affected by reflective mulches and reduced fertility regimes. However, the combined effects of these mulches and fertility practices on both thrips and their natural enemies remain poorly understood. There is potential for these methods to synergize with nonchemical approaches, enhancing pest control in pepper production and contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices in the Midwest. Further research is needed to fully understand and optimize these interactions.