Signs and symptoms of thrips on indoor plants
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Thrips are very tiny insects, 1-2mm long. They are slender with narrow wings fringed with hairs. They may be white, yellow, brown or black.
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The immatures are smaller and usually white or yellow.
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There are several generations.
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Some species overwinter in the soil; others die in winter are replaced in the spring by populations migrating in from the south.
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Some thrips may feed on only one plant species, while others are general feeders on the flowers and leaves. Some thrips species feed only on pollen and cause no damage.
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Others suck plant juices in a linear pattern that looks like irregular white streaks and give a silvery appearance to damaged leaves. Some species may deposit minute black fecal spots on leaves.
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On flowers, damage appears as white or brown blotches.
Scarring injury on flower petals
Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Management strategies
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Thrips generally do not require control in the home. They are usually brought in on infested plants.
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Dispose of severely damaged plants.
