Understanding a Major Pest Problem in the Mid-Atlantic - A Survey for Thrips
Thrips are a major problem for vegetable and flower growers throughout the United States. In the past 10 years, some species (in particular, western flower thrips (WFT)) have caused increasing problems. Symptoms of thrips damage include scarring and/or deformation of the leaves and fruit (Figs. 1-3). Additionally, certain thrips species can damage vegetables by vectoring viruses such as Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (Figs. 4-5). However, some symptoms that appear to be thrips-induced can be caused by environmental or varietal factors and this can lead to increased applications of pesticides when they were not necessary.