The fields of Almería and Murcia are facing one of the most complex challenges of recent campaigns: Thrips parvispinus. As alerted by organizations such as Coexphal and the Phytosanitary Information and Alert Network (RAIF), the pressure from this pest is forcing the sector to rethink management strategies, even considering extreme measures to break its biological cycle.

However, while the industry looks for solutions, the grower must continue producing. In this context, a key question arises: “Why do I treat, yet the pest remains?” Often, the answer lies not in the active ingredient used nor in the quality of the beneficials released, but in a physical barrier we sometimes overlook: the plant structure itself.

The “Plant Bunker” Effect

Unlike the western flower thrips, Parvispinus has an elusive behavior. It instinctively seeks areas with higher relative humidity and protection: tender shoots and the interior of the leaf mass. If we grow varieties with uncontrolled vigor and, above all, with excessively large leaves and a closed habit, we are unintentionally building a “bunker” for the pest.

In these “jungle” conditions:

• The microclimate works against you: Excess leaf surface retains humidity, favoring not only thrips but also fungi like Botrytis.
• Contact treatments do not reach: Droplets stay on the barrier of outer leaves, leaving the thrips’ refuge dry.
• Biological control loses efficacy: Orius finds it harder to patrol and find its prey in a dense tangle.

The Strategy: Less Leaf, More Visibility

Given the lack of total genetic resistance in the current market, the best defense is accessibility. At CapGen Seeds, we have redefined the concept of “open architecture”: it is not just about the quantity of leaves, but their size and arrangement.

Our new genetic lines focus on smaller leaf sizes. This allows for direct visual permeability: if you can see the fruits with the naked eye without moving foliage, the treatment can also enter.

A plant with this architecture:

• Allows the spray broth to penetrate to the central stem and shoots.
• Facilitates the installation and mobility of beneficial insects.
• Reduces the need for aggressive pruning, saving labor costs.

A Solution Adapted to Every Cycle’s Difficulty

We know that growing in July is not the same as in August. The main challenge has always been in early cycles, where opening the plant seemed impossible due to the risk of sunscald on the fruit. However, our breeding program has achieved the balance.

Regardless of your planting date, the strategy remains the same:

• Early Cycles (late June – mid-July): The most complex technical challenge. We have achieved varieties with just the right leaf coverage to avoid sunscald, but with a structure airy enough not to compromise treatments.
• Medium Cycles (July): Balanced plants that allow continuity, reducing leaf size to avoid excess plant mass.
• Late Cycles (August): Medium-high vigor options that guarantee clean and ventilated endings, crucial to avoiding rot problems in the winter months.

We cannot make Parvispinus disappear, but we can choose genetics that stop protecting it. If you are looking to improve the efficacy of your treatments next campaign, start by choosing the right architecture.

Consult our technical team for the option that best suits your area and transplant date.