Thrips Population Trends in Peppers in Southwest Florida ABSTRACT Galen Frantz, Felicia Parks & H. Charles Mellinger Glades Crop Care, Inc. 949 Turner Quay Jupiter, FL 33458 Seasonal abundance of Frankliniella bispinosa; western flower thrips (WFT), and Thrips palmi in blooms of pepper, Capsicum annuum L., was determined during 1992-93 in southwest Florida. Incidence of F. bispinosa was similar in peppers and in water pan traps. The abundance of WFT and T. palmi was influenced by planting schedules and crop destruction practices in greenhouses and field peppers.