Diagnosing thrips in lupins
Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) and plague thrips (Thrips imagines) are 2mm long, cigar shaped and range in colour from yellow-orange to dark grey. Adults and nymphs pierce plant tissue and suck sap. Control is rarely warranted for this pest.
What to look for
- Adults and nymphs pierce plant tissue and suck sap, producing distorted leaves.
- Flower abortion abortion occurs in extreme cases.
Plant
- Adults are 2mm long, cigar-shaped and range in colour from yellow-orange to dark grey. They have tiny narrow wings folded over the back.
- Nymphs are similar in shape, pale yellow to orange-yellow, wingless and smaller in size.
Insect Adult
What else could it be
Condition | Similarities | Differences |
---|---|---|
Diagnosing aphids in narrow-leafed lupins | Distorted leaves | Aphids easily seen |
Diagnosing cucumber mosaic virus in narrow-leafed lupins | Distorted leaves | Virus causes young leaves to be pale and bunched. As infection continues entire plant can be affected. Thrips cause only some leaves to be distorted. |
Where did it come from?
Alternate host
Management strategies
- Thrips rarely cause damage to warrant control.
Where to go for expert help
Page last updated: Wednesday, 26 April 2017 - 1:03pm