Lovely Adhikary
0009-0009-5070-5934

student

graduate research assistant, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL

Publications

Using Banker Plants as an Additional Tool in Strawberry Integrated Pest Management

Allan Busuulwa, Lovely Adhikary, and Sriyanka Lahiri

The invasive Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood;(Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is currently the most significant pest of strawberries in Florida. Managing this pest is challenging due to its low susceptibility to many commonly used insecticides. As an additional management strategy, we propose using flowering plants (banker plants) to attract naturally occurring predators of thrips, which can help suppress S. dorsalis populations in field strawberries.

thumbnail for publication: How to Differentiate between Causes of Strawberry Plant Damage: Chilli Thrips, Spider Mites, Foliar Nematodes, or Phytotoxicity from Herbicides?

How to Differentiate between Causes of Strawberry Plant Damage: Chilli Thrips, Spider Mites, Foliar Nematodes, or Phytotoxicity from Herbicides?

Lovely Adhikary, Sriyanka Lahiri, Nathan Boyd, and Johan Desaeger

This publication aims to provide information on how to differentiate damage caused by chilli thrips, spider mites, foliar nematodes, and phytotoxicity due to herbicide application on strawberry plants. The symptomology of these pests and the effects of phytotoxicity from herbicides can look similar, especially when microscopic pests are involved. Correctly identifying the cause behind each damage symptom is essential. The intended audience of this article is strawberry growers, crop scouts, Extension agents, and industry personnel working on improved production and management of strawberries.

Presence of a Non-Pest Mite Tarsonemus confusus Ewing (Acari: Tarsonemidae), in Florida Strawberry Fields

Lovely Adhikary and Sriyanka Lahiri

This publication aims to benefit growers and Extension agents by increasing awareness of a fungus-feeding mite, Tarsonemus confusus, commonly found in strawberry fields. Tarsonemus confusus may be misidentified as other pest mites. In fact, without help from an expert mite taxonomist, incorrect species identification can be a major concern. Although this mite species typically does not achieve pest status on most crops, an incorrect pest identification may lead to unnecessary application of miticides, triggering a secondary pest outbreak.