PEAR THRIPS. This tiny insect first surfaced as a pest of sugar maple trees in Vermont in 1985.  It gained notoriety in 1988 when it damaged > 600,000 acres of maples representing 1/6th of the total hardwood resources in the State of Vermont. In response to the concerns of sugarmakers, foresters and the general public, an extensive  research program was established to address basic concerns relative to the biology, ecology of the insect and to develop means of survey, detection and management.

 
What we are doing?

Pilot testing. Field testing select fungal isolates against pear thrips.

Basic biology. Determining yearly overwintering population levels in 40 Vermont sugarbushes.

Forecasting. Alerting sugarmakers to the potential for damage to their trees and suggesting management actions.
 



 

Major Accomplishments with Pear Thrips

Determined basic pear thrips biology in VT forest ecosystem.
Designed and tested sampling methods for survey and detection.
Communicated research and management results to VT sugarmakers.
Established Thripsnet, a worldwide listserver.
Established international links to assist with development of entomopathogens for management.
Screened over 100 fungal strains for pathogenicity to thrips.
Developed a reproducible bioassay method for testing fungi against thrips.
 
 


Thripsnet