Thrips - Indoor Plants

Thrips damaged fuschia flower

• 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.
• The immatures are smaller and usually white or yellow.
• There are several generations.
• Some species overwinter in the soil; others die in winter are replaced in the spring by populations migrating in from the south.
• 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.
• 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.
• On flowers, damage appears as white or brown blotches.

Management

• Thrips generally do not require control in the home. They are usually brought in on infested plants.
• Dispose of severely damaged plants.

Closeup of thrips

Damage to flower petals