Problem Identifier Unit Screen//v.w/ RR Template

Problem Identifier Unit Screen//v.w/ RR Template Flower Thrips

Problem
Young leaves are distorted and foliage may be flecked with yellow. Flower buds are deformed, and usually fail to open. The petals of open blossoms, especially those of white or light-colored varieties, are often covered with brown streaks and spots. If a deformed or streaked flower is pulled apart and shaken over white paper, tiny yellow or brown insects fall out and are easily seen against a white background.

Analysis
(Frankliniella tritici)

Flower thrips are the most abundant and widely distributed thrips in the country. They live inside the buds and flowers of many garden plants. Both the immature and the adult thrips feed on plant sap by rasping the tissue. The injured petal tissue turns brown and the young expanding leaves become deformed. Injured flower buds usually fail to open. Thrips initially breed on grasses and weeds. When these plants begin to dry up or are harvested, the insects migrate to succulent green ornamental plants. The adults lay their eggs by inserting them into the plant tissue. A complete life cycle may occur in 2 weeks, so populations can build up rapidly. Most damage to roses occurs in early summer.

Solution
Thrips are difficult to control because they continuously migrate to roses from other plants. Immediately remove and destroy infested buds and blooms. Spray with an insecticide containing acephate 3 times at intervals of 7 to 10 days.

Back to the top