(Some species of Haplothrips are reported as pest in South Africa, we do not know if they are pests in Kenya or east Africa. Haplothrips are present in East Africa, but some of them are beneficial (predacious) and we do not know the status on the region. This will have to be reviewed when we finish with the datasheets). [br] When the status of Haplothrips in East Africa has been clarified we could decided if we leave this information on egg-laying habits. [br] Biological pesticides: check with list of Seif [br] FW: Include information on synthetic pesticides?
Thrips (e.g. the black tea thrips Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis and the red banded thrips Selenothrips rubrocinctus)
Thrips are small, slender insects (1-2 mm long) with two pairs of fringed wings. Adult thrips attacking avocado are dark brown or black, and the immature stages are yellow in colour. The red-banded thrips can be distinguished by a bright red band across the abdomen of immature thrips.
Thrips are sometimes troublesome pests in avocado. They may cause damage to the leaves and fruit. Affected parts become whitish or silvery and are usually covered by dark-coloured droppings.
On fruit, feeding begins near the calyx, gradually producing a scar that can cover the whole fruit. Attacked fruits develop a leathery brown skin. Feeding is most common on young fruit; economic damage generally occurs on fruit up to 2 cm in length (2-3 weeks after fruit set). Older fruit with thicker skin is less susceptible to attack.
- Conserve natural enemies. Thrips are attacked by predatory thrips, lacewings and predatory bugs. Control measures are rarely needed.
