Silvertop of Bluegrass and Bentgrass Produced by Anaphothrips obscurus12

Abstract

Anaphothrips obscurus (Muller) produced a distinct type of silvertop in bluegrass and bentgrass by feeding on the developing inflorescence while the grass was in the hoot stage. Thrips failed to produce the withered inner stem above the terminal node that is characteristic of silverlop produced by plant bugs. Thrips were frequently associated with silvertop produced by plant bugs but were considered secondary invaders of injured culms. About 16% of the seed was destroyed by the silvertop that resulted from the feeding of thrips in a field of ‘Emerald’ bentgrass.