Thrips
Order: Thysanoptera
Affected Plants:
Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, grapefruits), grapes, avocado, mango, tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, roses, lilies, gladioliDamage Type:
Sucking sap, spoiling appearancePhysical Characteristics:
Tiny, slender insects; fringed wings; vary in color (yellow, brown, black); damage plants by sucking sap.Control Method:
Gamma BHC, Mercaptothion, FenitrothionEnvironmental Impact:
High impact on beneficial insectsOrganic/Natural Control:
Neem oil, predatory insectsAbout this pest
In the world of tiny South African terrors, thripse hold a prominent place. These slender, winged insects may seem insignificant, but they can pack a powerful punch for your plants. Let’s delve into their world to understand their characteristics, why they become pests, and how to keep your greenery safe:
Physical Characteristics:
- Size: Minute! Most adult thripse are only about 1mm long, barely visible to the naked eye.
- Body: Elongated and slender, with fringed wings (some wingless species exist).
- Colour: Varied depending on species, but often yellowish, brown, or black.
- Movement: Agile flyers, often hopping or gliding on air currents.
Common South African Names:
- Blaaskorreltjies (Afrikaans) – Little black grains (translated literally)
- Plantluis (Afrikaans) – Plant louse (misnomer)
- Blaarblaaskewers (Afrikaans) – Blister beetle (misnomer)
Why are Thrips Pests?
- Plant sap feeders: They pierce leaves, flowers, and fruits with their mouthparts, sucking nutritious sap and causing damage.
- Discolouration and scarring: Feeding leaves behind silvered streaks or distorted growth.
- Reduced photosynthesis: Weakened plants due to loss of sap, leading to stunted growth and potential die-off.
- Virus transmission: Some thripse species can transmit harmful plant viruses, causing further damage and yield losses.
- Wide range of hosts: Attack a variety of plants, including vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, and even houseplants.
Combatting Thrips:
Monitoring: Regularly inspect leaves, flowers, and fruits for tiny thrips, silvering, or distorted growth.
Natural methods:
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- Encourage natural predators: Lacewings, ladybugs, and minute pirate bugs feast on thrips.
- Neem oil spray: Disrupts their feeding and development.
- Insecticidal soap spray: Can kill thrips on contact, but reapplication might be needed.
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Cultural practices:
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- Strong water sprays: Dislodge thrips from leaves and prevent their settling.
- Yellow sticky traps: Attract and trap adult thrips, reducing their population.
- Plant-resistant varieties: Choose plant varieties with natural resistance to thrips.
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Chemical control: Use registered insecticides specifically targeting thrips as a last resort due to environmental impact and potential harm to beneficial insects. Choose systemic insecticides for more effective control.
Remember:
- Early detection and intervention are crucial to prevent significant damage from thrips.
- Combine multiple control methods for a sustainable approach, prioritizing natural and organic strategies whenever possible.
- Identify the specific thripse species affecting your plants for targeted control measures.
By understanding the biology and behaviour of thripse and implementing proactive steps, you can protect your South African plants from these miniature menaces and keep your garden thriving.
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