About Central Florida Gardener

Welcome and thank you for visiting Central Florida Gardener. Florida is a unique state in which to garden. It can be frustrating but also rewarding for gardeners who persevere. This blog was created as a resource for Florida gardeners, both new and experienced, in search of information specifically for Florida gardens.

You are invited to participate by leaving your comments, suggestions, tips and recommendations relevant to Florida gardening - don't be shy! Thank you for dropping by to learn more about gardening in the Sunshine state. I look forward to hearing from you! Susan

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Garden Pest - Chilli Thrips

A relatively new species of thrips ~ ~ Chilli Thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood ~ ~ that attack a wide variety of plants in Florida are becoming more prevalent. Some of their favorite plants are: Begonia, Citrus, Hydrangeas, Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine, Indian hawthorne, Snow Bush, Azaleas, Camellias, Golden Dew Drop, Verbena, Crape Myrtle, Geranium, Coleus, Variegated Pittosporum, Plumbago, Marigold, Victoria Blue Sage, Viburnum, Roses and many varieties of vegetables to name a few.

Unlike the common thrip, Chilli thrips can be found on the axils of leaves or curled leaves and leaf litter. Affected plants will have brown and/or rolled leaves and distorted flowers. This is a tough insect that can do a lot of damage very quickly.

Infestations are easier to control if you discover them early and treat immediately.  Fortunately, there is a  product called Conserve Naturalyte which contains Spinosad ~ a  naturally occurring soil dwelling bacterium ~ that can be used to control the thrips. Remove all damaged flowers and apply the product only as needed as it can be toxic to bees until it has dried. Otherwise, the product has shown very low toxicity levels to other critters. Natural enemies include lacewings and ladybug beetles.

Good luck in treating infestations should you discover any on your plants or vegetables.


8 comments:

Sandy said...

I have a Natural Habitat (NWF)in my back yard and use no pesticides or fertilizers of any kind.. I need to look up the one you spoke of because after moving in 8 years ago, it took me three years of not using any kind of bug stops to get the bees back... I would value any info you can give me on Natural Gardening.. thanks so much.. I really enjoy your blog and view it weekly...
thanks
Sandy

things to do miami fl said...

I would value any info you can give me on Natural Gardening.. thanks so much.

things to do in miami  said...

I would value any info you can give me on Natural Gardening.. thanks so much.

Felecia- Wilmington, NC said...

Ugh- of course they infest all my favorites! Hopefully we wont have any run-ins with them. Our family in Live Oak has been complaing about their gardens browning over this past year- i wonder if chilli thrips are to blame. Definitely passing this on. Thanks!

rich7261 said...

i have been trying for the same sandy, ill look into some research articles i know of and let you all know!!

rich7261 said...

Sandy,


Check out http://www.landscapers.org they have so many articles regarding natural gardening etc.. it will really help.

Hope i was of some help!

michael said...

Sandy,


Check out http://www.landscapers.org they have so many articles regarding natural gardening etc.. it will really help.

Hope i was of some help!

Thomas said...

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