Western flower thrips

Western Flower Thrips

© 2000. Ralph E. Berry, Department of Entomology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.

Nymphs and adults of the western flower thrips, Frankiniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), feed by rasping the leaf surfaces and sucking up the exuding plant juices. This injury causes distorted leaves with a silvery appearance. Adults are 1 to 2 mm long. Adults overwinter in trash, under bark, and in other protected areas. Adults become active in April and May and lay eggs in host plant tissues. Nymphs are active from mid-May through September. Under favorable conditions, a complete life cycle from egg to adult may require only two weeks.

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