Thrips
insectVarious (Thysanoptera)
Tiny slender insects that rasp leaf surfaces and feed on plant juices. Many species.
Identification
1/25 inch slender, fringed-wing insects. Shake flowers over white paper to see them. Silver streaking on leaves.
Damage & Symptoms
Silvery streaking on leaves. Distorted flowers and fruit. Black fecal spots. Virus transmission (tospoviruses).
Organic Control
Blue sticky traps. Insecticidal soap. Spinosad. Neem oil. Release predatory mites (Amblyseius cucumeris).
Chemical Control
Spinosad. Imidacloprid. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides.
Prevention
Remove weedy hosts. Reflective mulch. Avoid over-fertilizing. Row covers on seedlings.
Data confidence: medium | Source: curated_ipm