Control of the banana rust thrips (Chaetanaphothrips signipennis (Bagn.)) in north Queensland

Abstract

A field trial in north Queensland investigated DDT spray and DDT /BHC dust as banana bunch treatments and dieldrin butt sprays for control of the banana rust thrips, Chaetanaphothrips signipennis (Bagn.). Three applications of DDT /BHC dust resulted in unblemished fruit. The commercially used dieldrin 0.05% butt spray for weevil borer, Cosmopolites s9rdidus Germ., also controlled the thrips. The ramifications of C. signipennis control by this method in bananas is discussed.