THRIPS: Characteristics and Controls

Ailments Orchid Doctor

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

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There are both winged and wingless phases; they scrape the surface tissue of plant parts especially flowers, causing shallow, silvery scars; they are fast moving and hard to see; spray with Malathion. A73-715; N328

They are a problem only occasionally; sometimes a problem with cymbidiums in bud stage; they can enter the bud sheath and become protected from insecticides; can cause ovipositor punctures of flowers; control with Diazinon, dimethoate, Malathion and Zectran sprays, or Dithio smokes or Temik granules. AH4

They are sometimes airborne on strong air currents; are abundant on weeds and vegetation outdoors; control with frequent applications of weak solutions of insecticides, especially on vandaceous plants. F76-33

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Thrips Comments
THRIPS: A Common Pest on Vandas Inside the bud, thrips are protected from insecticides, so it is a good idea to spray early; if late use a fine spray or a misting to avoid injury; use Sevin SOW; if flowers are open use Black Leaf 40 which does not damage the flowers. A85-817 0
THRIPS: Control If Malathion Has Not Been Effective The Malathion used must have been old; use fresh Malathion, spray at 1.5 tpg. every five to seven days, with three applications; or spray with Zectran at 3 tpg. A72-1100 0
THRIPS: Controls Spray the young spikes preventively with Sevin 50W (Carbaryl Insecticide) in its wettable powder form; when the flowers open spray with Black Leaf 40 (nicotine sulfate); some growers use Orthene 75 (Soluble powder) at i tpg. F87-87They require persistent effort; control with Malathion, Cygon 2E, Diazinon or a Dithio smoke. A78-909; A64-692; S193; in Florida four types named and five controls given; refer to DK9+ 0
THRIPS: Controls, in Increasing Degrees of Toxicity to the User Malathion (LD50=2oz.), lindane (1/2 oz.) and dimethoate (1/2 oz.) A68-582 0
THRIPS: Distinct From Springtails Thrips also can be found in compost, they damage the roots at the conjunction of the new growing tip and the developing velamen, an area rich in sugars; control them with Malathion. OR82-256 0
THRIPS: Insecticide Control for Indoors For a basement collection under lights, use Malathion but if it is not effective, use Diazinon at the rate of 1 tpg.; it may be repeated in 14 days. A81-150 0
THRIPS: On Cymbidiums They are among the worst pests, causing spotting on flowers; the damage occurs in the form of halo dots on sepals or petals and appear very similar to Botrytis spotting; use Cygon every six weeks as a pot only drench. A67-499 0
THRIPS: On Vandas and Ascocendas Flowers show scarred, burned, or misshapened from the feeding, especially in South Florida; control them by applying wettable powders such as Sevin, or Orthene. F81-153 0

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