Greenhouse Thrips
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Greenhouse Thrips  Adult greenhouse thrips head and central area of the body have a distinct network of lines. The body is dark brown with the posterior end much lighter; the legs are uniformly yellow; the wings are hyaline and narrow, but with a broad base; and the antennae are slender with a characteristic needle-like tip. The mature adults are about 1/32in(1.3 to 1.8) mm long. The male is similar to the female thrips, but slightly smaller. The eggs are very small, banana-shaped, and white. The first larval instar is white; the second instar is yellow Both instars have red eyes. The pupa and prepupa do not move about freely. These stages are yellowish with red eyes. Pupae are slightly larger, with longer wing pads, and antennae bent back over body. They become darker with age. Susceptible Plants- Azalea, citrus crops, ferns, fuchsia, orchids, and zantedeschia, and also other greenhouse and house plants. Although the greenhouse thrips is limited to tropical areas outside, it is found throughout the world in greenhouses. The greenhouse thrips probably originated in Central and South America. Life Cycle- : Each female greenhouse thrip deposits 25 to 50 eggs in slits in the leaves. Under optimum conditions the time for development is 17 to 20 days for the eggs, about 13 days for the two larval instars, and about 5 days for the prepupal and pupal stages. The adults can live 7 weeks on plants growing in the greenhouse.
Symptoms- Greenhouse thrips feeds almost entirely on the foliage, and large populations cause severe damage. Greenhouse thrips usually injure inner leaves and fruit. Damaged leaves appear silvery or bleached and, if the damage is severe enough, turn yellow and drop.
Fruit that has been attached is brown, cracked, and has noticeable sunken areas. Dark spots of excrement are often noticeable on the leaves and fruit. Prevention and Control- Maintain a humid atmosphere. Check plants before bring into the house or greenhouse. Tap plant over white paper, if present greenhouse thrips will fall onto the paper. Thrips Leafminer Blue Sticky Traps
Biological Control- "Thrips Mite Cucumeris/ Amblyseius (Neoseiulus)" The female lays her eggs on the plants. The small, white eggs hatch into larvae that molt into nymphs in approximately 2 days. During the next 7-10 days, the nymphs will feed on thrips. Once the mite reaches adulthood, it will consume one thrips per day. Adults live up to 30 days; females can lay up to 35 eggs during that time. The mite can be found on the underside of the leaves, along the veins or inside the flowers. The mites feed on pollen as well so Good Bug Blend Flowering Beneficial Insect Habitat INSECTICIDAL CONTROL- MYCOTROL is an insecticide containing spores of the insect-killing fungus Beauveria bassiana GHA strain. It is specifically formulated for use in organic agriculture and is OMRI Listed. The benefits of using a
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