Learning Opportunity: Ultraviolet Light Use in Thrips Control

By Greenhouse Grower staff|June 22, 2026

There’s always more to learn about thrips control and new tools to add to your existing integrated pest management (IPM) program. Recent research into the concentrated use of Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light has shown promise not only for sanitation, but also, when used carefully, for targeting pests while keeping plants safe.

American Floral Endowment‘s upcoming webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as part of its ongoing Grow Pro series, will cover thrips management in floriculture and updates on an AFE-funded research project exploring the use of UV-C light as a pest management tool. Topics of the webinar will include:

Exploring how UV-C light technology works and its role in thrips management.
Insights on how UV-C and other new tools can complement IPM programs.
The latest strategies in biological, chemical, and cultural control of thrips.

The featured speakers for “Thrips Get Lit: Bright Ideas for Thrips Management and UV-C Research Updates” are Dr. JC Chong, a Technical Development Manager at SePRO, and Dr. Somaiyeh Ghasemzadeh, a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Vermont. Chong’s was previously a Professor and Extension Specialist of turf and ornamental entomology at Clemson University, where his program focused on developing practical and effective pest control tools for turfgrass and ornamentals.

Willing participants can register for the webinar directly through Zoom or by visiting the Grow Pro Webinar series page on the AFE website, where information on future webinars in the series can be found. Recordings of all past Grow Pro webinars can also be found on the AFE’s YouTube channel.