Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) are among the most damaging greenhouse pests especially on
strawberries. Adult thrips are slender insects about 1mm long. Thrips feed by piercing the cells and sucking out their contents leading to silver/gray patches. Thrips especially feed on growing points and flower buds leading to distortion of these tissues as they develop. Greenhouse strawberry crops are sensitive to thrips damage which can cause severe plant damage and unmarketable fruit. This article will introduce the issue of thrips in strawberries, describe common symptomology, present an initial framework for integrated pest management, and conclude with some additional resources.
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