Soil temperatures are about steady right, prompting some peanut growers to start planting early to chase after any soil moisture left from recent rain. Peanut growers who plant this week or soon after need to pay special heed to what is being called a ‘high-risk period’ for thrips injury.

In his April 17 blog post, University of Georgia Extension entomologist Mark Abney says:

“Current thrips population prediction models suggest that we are currently in a high risk period for thrips. If the predictions are accurate, risk will decline quickly as we approach May planting dates. Regardless of computer model predictions, we know that the risk of thips feeding injury and Tomato Spotted Wilt is greatest on Georgia peanuts planted prior to 10 May."

Abney says there are several ways peanut farmers go about managing thrips. He talks about the most-common ways peanuts farmers have gone after the tiny insects in recent years.

4 most-popular ways peanut farmers reduce thrips damage