Chilli Thrips

Chilli Thrips

 

Chilli thrips (scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) were first reported in Florida in October of 1991 and made their way to Orange County by August of 2015.  They prey on over 200 different plants including, as their name implies, peppers.  They are also pests of citrus trees, tomatoes, eggplant, and other edibles.

"Unlike other thrips, pupae of chilli thrips are generally found on leaves, leaf litter, or on the axils of leaves, in curled leaves, or under the calyxes of flowers and fruits." (James A. Bethke, UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance.)

Affected plant parts should be pruned, bagged, and placed in the trash, along with leaf litter on the ground below the plant.  Because chilli thrips build up an immunity to pesticides fairly rapidly, alternate spraying of spinosad and soapy water or hotricultural oil can reduce the population. (LSU Agriculture)

When you prune your roses this winter, be sure to strip of all the leaves and clear the ground beneath your bushes.  Chilli thrips can overwinter in the litter on the ground.