(Diarthrothrips coffeae)
Credits: Biovision-Infonet
(c) Courtesy EcoPort Alton N. Sparks, Jr., The University of Georgi
(c) A.A. Seif, icipe
The adult thrips are 1-1.5 mm in length and grey-brown in colour. The nymphs are wingless and yellow. Both adults and nymphs feed on the underside of leaves, but in severe infestations they also attack the upper side of leaves, berries and green shoots. Attacked plant parts show irregular grey or silvery patches covered by numerous tiny black spots, which are the excreta of the thrips. In case of severe infestation the leaves dry up and fall off. Heavy outbreaks occur during periods of drought and high temperatures.
What to do:
- Mulching reduces thrips numbers considerably.