How to spot a thrip infection?
Adults are mainly flower-feeders but will also feed on stems and leaves of plants as well. Symptoms of damage may include: discolouration and scarring of open blooms, petals, deformation of buds and flower heads, as well as pimpling on some flowers as a result of eggs deposited beneath the tissue. After feeding on a plant, silvery necrotic spots will often appear which can affect the plants ability to photosynthesize, distort growth and further reduce the value of the plant. The wounds caused by thrips can pave the way for botrytis infection. Thrips have also been known to vector diseases to plants when feeding: most commonly Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV).
Thrips Life Cycle
