Poinsettia thrips

Poinsettia thrips 2

Photo: Lance Osborne, University of Florida, Bugwood.org

  • Attacks over 100 species, particularly greenhouse crops
  • Adults are brown (1.6 mm in length) with red between segments
  • Feeding damage results in shallow puncture wounds on the leaves, reduced leaf size and lightening of colour
  • Black spots (faecal droppings) left on leaf surfaces
  • Potential to act as a vector of plant pathogens
  • Can spread with infested plant material

High priority pest of: Production nurseries

Scientific name: Echinothrips americanus
EPPRD Category:
Life Form: Thrips (THYSANOPTERA)

Pest Documents

FS: fact sheet

CP: contingency plan

DP: diagnostic protocol