Metarhizium (Met52 / LALGUARD M52) for chilli thrips
In greenhouse cages on pepper, three sprays of M. brunneum F52 cut chilli thrips by 84–93%, close to spinosad at 94–99% (Arthurs 2013). Control was slightly lower (81% over 10 weeks, from four sprays) on nursery roses in hot, sunny conditions. It sits on the agricultural and greenhouse sublabel; the US residential label covers ticks on lawns only, so it is not a garden-rose option.
Before you order
Spores of an insect-killing soil fungus, sold as granules to mix into potting media and soil, or as a liquid to drench or spray. Labelled for thrips pupae and vine weevil larvae in soil, and for whiteflies, mites and aphids on leaves. It is not labelled for wireworms in the US. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Metarhizium brunneum strain F52 profile.
Other controls for chilli thrips
- Amblyseius swirskiiPredatory mite · 25–100 /m² per release; 100–300 /m² on hot spots
- Orius insidiosusPredatory bug · 1–2 /m² per release; up to 10 /m² on hot spots