Chilli thrips damage on Indian hawthorne. (Photo by Steven Arthurs, University of Florida)

Chilli thrips damage on schefflera. (Photo by Steven Arthurs, University of Florida)

Chilli thrips damage to rose. (Photo by Steven Arthurs, University of Florida)

News Release Distributed 09/09/14

HAMMOND, La. – Louisiana homeowners should be on the alert for a small insect called chilli thrips that feeds on the young, tender parts of many plants, according to Yan Chen, an entomologist at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

A pest of tropical and subtropical regions of the world, chilli thrips first made an appearance in Louisiana on Knock Out roses in New Orleans in 2009.

They’re most obvious and prolific on roses, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings. They’re also common on camellias, plumbago and Indian hawthorne as well as other ornamental plants.

Populations can be high in September and October as temperatures cool off somewhat, Owings said. “They’re typically seen affecting new growth where plants were pruned in late August and early September or are having their fall growth flush.”

Unlike other thrips species that are flower feeders, chilli thrips feed on foliage and other plant tissue, Chen said. Feeding causes leaf, bud and fruit bronzing, and damaged leaves curl, become distorted and fall from the plants.

On infested plants, the new growth becomes stunted or dwarfed and appears deformed. Damaged buds become brittle and drop.

“Chilli thrips prefer to feed on young plant material, but all plant foliage above ground is susceptible,” Chen said.

The adult female lays eggs into the plant tissue along leaf veins, terminal plant parts and buds. New thrips hatch in six to eight days under normal temperatures or slightly longer in cooler temperatures.

In the first two lifecycle stages, they actively feed on young, tender plant parts, Chen said.

Chilli thrips are quite small – about 1/25 to 1/8 of an inch long. Nymphs are pale yellow and highly active while adults are pale yellow with dark wings and jump when they’re disturbed.

If you suspect chilli thrips, the best way to identify them is to place a sheet of white paper beneath the leaves or flowers and shake the plant. The thrips will fall onto the paper.

Managing infestations is easier if populations are detected early before they cause severe damage, Chen said. For homeowners, treatment can be done with three materials that are available and very functional.

Acephate (Orthene), imidaclorpid and spinosad are the best controls. All can be applied as foliar sprays, and imidaclorpid can be used as a drench.

Chilli thrips are moved through infested plant material. Populations have been found in retail outlets and on berries in grocery stores, Chen said. The adults are poor fliers, but they can be found on over 250 ornamentals, vegetables and fruits. More information is available online at www.lsuagcenter.com/hammond.