PEST
 
   NAME
     Western Flower Thrips
     Frankliniella occidentalis
 
   ORDER
     Thysanoptera
 
   FAMILY
     Thripidae

Description of the Pest
Adults are tiny (1mm) long cigar-shaped insects with banded abdomens, and two pairs of feathery wings. Nymphs have yellow bodies. Adults and nymphs have rasping and sucking mouth parts.

Appearance and Distribution of the Pest
Found throughout Australia.

Life Cycle
This insect has a Hemimetabolous life cycle, ie. When the immature nymphs resemble the adults.
Later (non-feeding) nymphal stages occur in leaf litter or surrounding soil. Adults mature in a fortnight under ideal conditions; they may survive for six weeks and produce up to 300 eggs over this period. Many generations appear each year.

Period of Activity
Most active during warmer dry months

Damage Caused
Adults and nymphs feed on plant tissue of flowers, shoots and fruit. Flowers develop silvery discoloration; shoots and fruit may become deformed. Eggs are also laid in the plant tissue, causing further physical damage and making the plant susceptible to wilt.

Susceptible Plants
A wide range of flowering and fruiting plants, both native and exotic, including Dendranthema, Gerbera, Gypsophila, Rosa, Fragaria, Lactuca, Lycopersicon, Cucumis and Vicia species are attacked.

Cultural Control
No effective control.

Biological Control
No effective control.

Chemical Control
Wester flower thrips are resistant to many insecticides and only the adult and lava stage is susceptible to insecticides such as Omethoate or Maldison. Consult your agricultural authority for current advice.
Note
Always read the label for registration details and direction of use prior to application of any chemicals.