Thrips

Uploaded by uvmext on 02/24/2022

Tags: maple  

Attachments: 29275568080_8a8da6562f_c.jpg (73KB) Thrips.srt (2KB)

Pear thrips is a species of insect that while native to Europe and Eurasia has been present in the United States for over 100 years. This insect is slender and brown as an adult and just over one mm long with delicately fringed wings. Thrips were first noticed as a pest in Vermont sugarbushes in the 1980s when significant damage was observed statewide. Adults emerge from underground in spring, usually in April. The damage caused by thrips mostly appears as "leaf tattering". It has also been described as being like making paper dolls since the damage done isn't fully known until the leaves unfold. This damage is the result of larval thrips injuring very young leaf tissue as they feed on plant juices before leaves have fully developed from the winter bud. It appears that greater damage is caused when adult emergence corresponds to bud break and especially when cool spring weather delays the rate of leave expansion. Despite weather conditions in 2019 that might have contributed to increased thrips damage luckily no reports were received.