Onion Thrips, Plague Thrips and Western Flower Thrips
Thrips tabaci, Thrips imaginis and Frankliniella occidentalis
Adults are 2mm long, cigar-shaped and range in colour from yellow-orange to dark grey. They have tiny, narrow wings carried over the back. Nymphs are similar in shape, pale yellow to orange-yellow, wingless and smaller in size. Species differentiation is extremely difficult in the field.
Check seedling and flowering crops. Shake flowers over a white surface or container to dislodge thrips.
Adults and nymphs pierce plant tissue and suck sap. Their impact on crops is minimal, even with occasionally high numbers.
Onion Thrips, Plague Thrips and Western Flower Thrips
DAFWA