Western Flower Thrips

Frankliniella occidentalis

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Identification

Very small, fast moving insects which live in flowers and will cause distortion of flowers and damage to young cactus seedlings. Hard to see but can be seen best on white flowers.

Typical damage seen here on cucumber leaves. Note the similarity to red spider mite damage. Thrips feeding on the leaves cause small white flecks or patches, within which tiny black faecal spots are seen

Typical damage on cucumber

Prevention

Blue sticky traps will catch them and give an alert to their presence.

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Cure

Spray with Orthene. Must spray three times at weekly intervals to kill all stages

A good biological control is available - Amblyseius cucumeris. See suppliers list

.See more info here (pdf file)


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