Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) are a year-round pest of crops grown indoors, outdoors, and everywhere in between. This North American native will seek out herbaceous ornamentals (like impatiens and petunias), vegetables (including cucurbits and peppers), fruits grown on vines and bushes (grapes, strawberries), as well as some shrubs and trees (roses, azaleas, rhododendrons, stone fruit, etc.). Adult and larval stages of thrips feed on foliage and flowers, causing extensive damage in a short time period under the right conditions.
Life Cycle –
The life cycle of the Western Flower Thrips varies in length due to temperature, but generally, the adult lives from two to five (or more) weeks while the nymph/larval stage lasts five to 20 days. Each female may lay from 40 to more than 100 eggs. She deposits them in the tissues of the plant, the fruit or the foliage.
Adults –
The adult is about 1 mm long and is yellow with dusky markings on the abdomen. The males and females look very similar, but the male is smaller and always light-colored. The abdomen of the females, on the other hand, ranges in color from pale yellow to dark brown.
Larvae –
The larvae resemble the adult but are smaller.
Eggs –
The eggs are flat, circular and translucent. They are laid out singly on fruit or foliage.
This Western Flower Thrips lure is designed for use with a blue sticky trap, in either the card form or the roll form, depending on the size of the area you are seeking to protect.
WHEN USED WITH A BLUE STICKY CARD TRAP OR BLUE RIBBON STICKY ROLL (SOLD SEPARATELY) –
- Place one trap baited with lure per hectare or greenhouse.
- In greenhouses – place trap at least 20 ft. from the edges of the growing area.
- For row crops – place trap 1 ft. above the crop.
- For tree crops – place trap 6 ft above the ground.
- Change the sticky traps and lures every 5 weeks.
CULTURAL AND PHYSICAL CONTROLS –
Several cultural practices may reduce injury by Western Flower Thrips. For best results, use an integrated program of control strategies that combine the use of good cultural practices and the conservation of natural enemies. This includes the use of the least-toxic insecticides, such as narrow-range oils and avoiding the use of insecticides that may not be effective against thrips and may actually increase the amount of injury to desired plants by killing natural enemies. Consult with your local Cooperative Extension or Master Gardener for information and recommendations relevant to your area.
Shelf Life: Lure Longevity: Thirty (30) days once opened
Active Ingredients/Guaranteed Analysis:
Lure Active Ingredient:
p-Anisaldehyde in a Coaster Lure Packet.
