In this section:
Western Flower Thrips
Features to look for when identifying Western Flower Thrips
Western Flower Thrips (WFT) on a sticky trap (low magnification)
Western Flower Thrips look a lot like other thrips on a sticky trap.
How do I tell it apart from other thrips?
WFT colour varies from pale yellow to light brown
- Females have light coloured edge on abdomen
- Banded antennae
- 4 pair of long hairs on the pronotum
WFT have:
- Hairs at the base of the pronotum
- Hairs also at the top of the pronotum
WFT have 8 antennal segments which have a characteristic banding pattern
To distinguish WFT from the closely related tomato thrips look at the ocellar setae in the pictures below.
In WFT the bases of the setae fall on or near the imaginary triangle line
In Tomato Thrips the bases of the setae fall clearly within the imaginary triangle.
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Western Flower Thrips |
Tomato Thrips |
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WFT: Ocellar setae far apart |
Tomato Thrips: Ocellar setae close together |
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Tomato Thrips
- Generally a dark colour all over.
- Hairs at the base of the pronotum.
- Hairs also at the top of the pronotum.
- Ocellar setae close together.
Onion Thrips
- Ocelli are clear and not red in colour.
- Hairs at the base of the pronotum only
Plague Thrips
Native to Australia.
- Ocelli are usually red.
- Usually creamy yellow in colour.
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Hairs at the base of the pronotum only.
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Often seen on white washing on clothes line.
Greenhouse Thrips:
1. Dark (almost black) body with pale legs and antennae.
2. Hairs at the base of the pronotum only
Gladiolus Thrips:
1. Black in colour.
2. No long hairs on top of pronotum
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