Thrips

Thrips are tiny, slender insects with fringed wings. Thrips species feed on a large variety of sources both plant and animal by puncturing them and sucking up the contents. A large number of thrips species are considered pests, because they feed on plants with commercial value. Thrips like tight spaces for hiding and feeding and, with regards to onions, are usually found in the neck or folded leaves.

Symptoms
A heavy infestation of thrips will cause sufficient damage to the leaves to reduce photosynthetic ability and, as a result, reduce any fruit yield. Silvery-white streaks are noticeable on the petals. Fruit damage varies depending on the crop.

Cucumber
An infestation results in distortion and curling of the fruit, white linear markings are visible.

Pepper
Silver or brown streak spots are visible on the fruit. Feeding on sweet pepper causes silvery or bronze streaks or spots on the fruit. The sepals may also curl due to thrips feeding and expose the fruit to infections.

Tomato
Ghost spoting may be visible if feeding has occured on the fruit. This may also occur on cucumber and pepper fruit.