Thrips on Cole Crops
Return to insect pests
Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci) are minute insect pests that often feed in hidden locations. Thrips reach a length of 1/20 of an inch at maturity and are often found between leaves or in the bud of the plant. In cabbage their feeding can cause small brown scars similar to edema of the cabbage leaves. On other brassicas they feed on open leaves causing discolored patches. During head formation, they can infest inner sections between layers of leaves sometimes causing leaf discoloration.
Thrips on a leaf
(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team, University of Kentucky)
Damage to greenhouse seedlings
(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team, University of Kentucky)
Damage to mature cabbage head
(Photo: Paul Bachi, University of Kentucky, Bugwood.org)
Management:
- Thrips can move between crops, be careful planting cole crops near Alliums (onion family), alfalfa, or clover, that can harbor large populations of thrips. Thrips can migrate into Brassicas when forage crops are cut.
- Where thrips have been a problem consider using thrips tolerant varieties.
