Horticulture/Frankliniella occidentalis

The Western Flower Thrips is a major agricultural and garden pest, affecting hundreds of cultivated and weedy species. Aside from damage due to feeding, its ability to act as a vector for viruses makes it particularly problematic.

Description
Very small, oblong insects.

Symptoms and Signs
Puncture holes, silvering, yellowing, or browning of plant parts, eventually leaves and flower parts die off and drop.

Host plants

 * ../Allium/ (Onion)
 * ../Arctium/ (Burdock)
 * ../Asclepias/ (Butterfly weed)
 * ../Capsicum/ (Pepper)
 * ../Chrysanthemum/
 * ../Citrullus/ (Watermelon)
 * ../Cousinia/ (Burdock)
 * ../Cucumis/ (Cucumber, Melon)
 * ../Datura/ (Jimsonweed)
 * ../Dendranthema/ (Hardy Mum)
 * ../Dianthus/ (Carnation)
 * ../Fragaria/ (Strawberry)
 * ../Hemerocallis/ (Daylily)
 * ../Jasminum/ (Jasmine)
 * ../Lactuca/ (Lettuce)
 * ../Lycopersicon/ (Tomato)
 * ../Malus/ (Apple)
 * ../Malva/ (Mallow)
 * ../Phaseolus/ (Bean)
 * ../Polianthes/ (Tuberose)
 * ../Prunus/ (Stone Fruits)
 * ../Ranunculus/ (Buttercup)
 * ../Rosa/ (Rose)
 * ../Solanum/ (Nightshade)
 * ../Verbena/

Crops attacked by this pest include beans, burdock (gobo), capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, onion, tomatoes and watermelon. Ornamental crops include carnation, chrysanthemum, orchids, pikake, rose and tuberose. Refer to Yudin et al., (1986) for a listing of hosts in the vegetable-growing region of Kula, Maui.