Onion Thrips
Overview
Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci) infest a wide range of vegetable crops and are most numerous in early summer.
They are small, measuring 1-1.2mm, and in Australia they are 100% female. A darker, larger form of Onion Thrips may be found in winter months.
The colouring of the abdominal segments on Onion Thrips is more uniform than Western Flower Thrips and Tomato Thrips. The ocelli, or eyespots, are pale on Onion Thrips, whereas they are red on Western Flower Thrips. The tip of the abdomen on Onion Thrips is a uniform grey/brown colour, whereas it is black on Western Flower Thrips.
Onion Thrips development stops when the temperature drops below 12°C and increases between 16-28°C. Pupation occurs in the soil or hidden in cracks and crevasses on the plant.
Why you need to control Onion Thrips
Onion Thrips are found on all parts of the plant but they prefer the undersides of young leaves and are often found sitting close to leaf veins. Onion thrips will also feed on pollen.
These pests rasp the surface and will suck out the contents of the plant cells, causing damage to the adjacent cells. You will see damage to the leaves as whitish spots and streaks and fruit damage occurs with high infestation levels. Onion Thrips are also a vector of the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus.
Beneficial predators to control Onion Thrips among crops
Biological Services sells a range of products to help you control Onion Thrips in your commercial crop and can design a program incorporating Orius, Cucumeris, Hypoaspis aculeifer (Killer Mites), Typhlodromips montdorensis (Monty) and Dalotia.
You can also use yellow and blue sticky traps and rolls to help you monitor and mass-trap Onion Thrips.
Get tailored advice for your commercial crop
To speak with one of our qualified consultants about your current commercial crop challenge or to learn about the benefits of the IPM maintenance and monitoring services we provide, contact us.