Question
I live in Fort Myers, FL.  Have a greenhouse in back for cp hobby.
Sarracenias, sundews, flytraps, butterworts, lowland nepenthes.

Problem: thrips on the sarracenias.  

Fear: wrong pesticide will mess up all real bad.  I am using
SEVEN topical which works, but recurrent problem with fairly
extensive damage.  I am told acephate or imocloprobid systemic
is better.  Which brand?  What dose? Dose the same as indicated on the label for "normal plants?" (cp's are not normal!)

Ortho acetamaprid the same as acephate?  I don't know which can
safely be used.

Thanks for your help,  Greg

Answer
Hi Greg,

Here's a link to our insecticide podcast:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbRCdJ8ZNF0

Here's some other useful information.  Acepahate is safe for most cp, but Ortho pulled it for general consumer use.  You can still get acephate powder at horticultural specialty outlets.   This is a organophospate insecticide, fairly toxic, and smells horrible.  Be sure to read all label cautions.

In most cases following the label directions works, but you need to be conscious of little things in the directions, such as time of day you apply.  Application in the late evening is often best since the many insecticides and fungicides can cause problems when applied in hot sun.  In general Sarracenia and Nepenthes are fairly tough.  They can handle what most other plants can.  You need to be cautious with sundews and butterworts.  With these plants I often just spray the crown and not the leaves.  That's where the insect attack usually is anyway.  Flytraps tend to be somewhere in-between.

I've never used acetamaprid, but it sounds like another synthetic neonicotinoid similar to imidacloprid.  I've found the Bayer imidacloprid products very safe on cp.  It's worth a try on some inexpensive plants.

In all cases make sure if you're using a concentrate that's it's water based.  Oil based products will cause damage.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com