Thrips 
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Thrips
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Thrips
Adult thrips are about 1.4 - 1.7 mm [1/16 inch] long, yellow-brown with an orange [sometimes dark brown] thorax and have 2 pairs of narrow fringed wings. Eggs are deposited in the leaf tissue. The 1st instar larvae are white. The 2nd instar larva drops from the plant to pupate in the soil. The prepupal and pupal stages take place in the soil and are whitish in color. Thrips cause damage by feeding on the plant tissue, resulting in the death of plant cells, which causes silvery patches on the leaves. When thrips are feeding on fruit or flowers, they can cause deformation or spots. In addition to damage done by feeding, thrips can transmit viruses, the two most dangerous are, Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus and Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus. Thrips are also becoming a problem on pepper and tomato crops. Beneficials: Amblyseius cucumeris Amblyseius degenerans Physical/Mechanical Control: Plant a garlic barrier near affected plants, use essential oil products, monitor with blue sticky traps. Chemical: Pyrethrin Spray, Insecticidal Soap Spray, Rotenone Spray or Dust |
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