Received from:
William L. Schall
Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Extension
559 N. Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL 33415-1395
wls@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
(561) 233-1725
cell: (561) 202-7093
FAX (561) 233-1768
suncom 274-1725

This year, we have seen an unusual and heavy movement of Cuban laurel thrips into Ficus benjamina nursery crops. It is the first time our Division of Plant Industry inspectors and experienced growers have seen this problem.

Wintergreen and other cultivars have been damaged in Palm Beach County. The Extension Agent in Broward County has shared with me that they are also seeing heavy thrips damage on F. benjamina in their nurseries.

Editor's Note: G. B. Edwards, of the Division of Plant Industry, later determined that this was an infestation of Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal), a thrips species now established in southern Florida.