Bean flower thrips

Bean flower thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus) are small cigar-shaped insects up to 2 mm long. The adults are dark brown with a reddish tinge. Adults lay their eggs inside leaf tissue. After feeding, the immatures drop from the plant and pupate in the soil. Generations are continual and populations are highest during warm and dry weather. Temperatures of around 20°C (68°F) favour reproduction and survival.

Symptoms
Flowers and flower parts are brown, dried, or completely destroyed. The flowers drop early. The petioles and leaves have tiny holes surrounded by discolored areas. Pod production is low and pods are deformed.

Control
Populations of thrips can become quite large, though there is no evidence that thrips cause losses in yield. No specific control measures are needed for the management of thrips.