THRIPS

Thrips are small sap-sucking insects, usually 1-2 mm long with long, narrow bodies, they are just visible to the naked eye. They generally feed on either leaves or flowers and can reduce fruit set. They attack a very wide range of plants. The greatest impact on their numbers is the weather, they dislike heavy rain and very hot, dry weather. Some species of thrip are beneficial insects as they prey on spider mites.

Suggested Organic Strategies:

• Encourage a year-round supply of flowering groundcover plants in the orchard. This both supplies an alternative flower source for the thrips and also increases the number of beneficial insects available to control them.

• Overhead watering can discourage thrips.

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