How to recognize western flower thrips
Adult western flower thrips are approximately 1.3-1.4 mm in size, light yellow to dark brown in color and have two long wings that align with the body. This species is easily mistaken for onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), but the western flower thrips is usually a little lighter. The larvae are more yellow to orange and do not have wings. The eggs are kidney-shaped, white and about 0.2 mm. The eggs are deposited inside plant tissue, which makes them difficult to spot. Occasionally, deformation of leaves occurs at the site where thrips have laid their eggs.
Western flower thrips damage and distribution
Adult western flower thrips are usually found in the upper parts of the plant. The thrips will aggregate in flower buds, if present, to feed from the pollen. They will extract sap from the petals, which causes spots on the flowers. Most damage is done by nymphs, which feed on leaves, growth tips and young flower buds. On leaves, thrips feeding causes silver-gray spots with dark dots, which are caused by thrips feces. Punctured buds show deformations or are completely stunted or withered. Western flower thrips is known for being a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.
Life cycle western flower thrips
Western flower thrips
FRANKLINOTHRIPS VESPIFORMIS
Effective against
– Many different thrips species
THRIPEX
Effective against
– Two-spotted spider mite
– Tarsonemid mite
– Several thrips
MACROLOPHUS PYGMAEUS
Effective against
– Whitefly and thrips
– Spider mite
– Tomato looper
LIMONICA
Effective against
– Thrips
– Whitefly
– Tarsonemid mite
MACRO-MITE
Effective against
– Fungus gnats
– Several thrips
– European pepper moth
SWIRSKI-MITE
Effective against
– (False) spider mite
– Several thrips species
– Whitefly
ENTOMITE-M
Effective against
– Fungus gnats
– Several thrips
– European pepper moth
THRIPOR
Effective against
– Palm thrips
– Western flower thrips
MONTDO- MITE
Effective against
– Several thrips
– Whitefly
