Thrips
/θrɪps/
Definition
Thrips are tiny, slender insects that feed by scraping plant surfaces and sucking out cell contents. In gardens, houseplants, and greenhouses, they are known as plant pests because this feeding causes silvery or bronzed streaking, distorted new growth, and speckled damage on leaves, flowers, and fruit. Some species also spread plant viruses. Their small size and habit of hiding in buds and leaf folds make them easy to miss.
Effects on Plants
- Feeding damage on soft tissue: thrips scrape and suck from young leaves, buds, and petals, which can leave silvery streaks, pale stippling, distorted new growth, or browned flower edges.
- Virus transmission risk: Some species spread plant viruses, especially to vegetables and ornamentals, so damage can go beyond feeding and include stunting, mottling, or misshapen growth.
- Hidden activity in flowers and folds: They often shelter in blooms, leaf curls, and tight growing points, which makes early infestations easy to miss and harder to reach with treatments.
- Dry, warm conditions favor outbreaks: Populations often build faster in warm indoor rooms, greenhouses, and dry weather, especially on stressed plants with plenty of tender new growth.
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