Thrips

Caused by: Frankliniella occidentalis
Problem Category: Insect
Symptoms: If population is high leaves and buds may be distorted; leaves appear silvery and are speckled with black feces; Insect will feed on and damage flowers; most damage occurs through the transmission of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV); insect is small (1.5 mm) and slender and best viewed using a hand lens; adult thrips are pale yellow to light brown and the nymphs are smaller and lighter in color.
Comments: Insect transmits Tomato spotted wilt virus; once acquired, the insect retains the ability to transmit the virus for the remainder of its life.
Management: Avoid planting next to onions, garlic or cereals where very large numbers of thrips can build up; use reflective mulches early in growing season to deter thrips; apply appropriate insecticide if thrips become problematic.
Control: Mix 5% Neem seed kernal extract in 100 litre of water and spray at the bottom of the leaf,install 8-10 sticky traps/acre