THRIPS

Thrips are common insect pests in greenhouse crops. They are small in size, measuring only 1-2 mm in length, and can be yellow, brown or black in color. The adults have narrow and long wings, while the larvae are smaller and wingless.

Thrips feed on plant sap, which can cause loss of vigor and quality in greenhouse crops. They can also transmit viruses and fungal diseases to plants, which can lead to reduced productivity and reduced crop quality.

Thrips are short-lived and reproduce quickly. The females lay their eggs in the leaves or stems of the plants, and the larvae emerge within a few days. The larvae go through two stages before becoming adults, and the complete life cycle lasts about two weeks.

Thrips can be difficult to detect due to their small size and habit of hiding in the deeper parts of plants. Signs of an infestation include feeding marks on the leaves, silver or brown spots, and plants that have a weakened appearance.