Thrips

These tiny insects (1/50 of an inch long) attack a number of ornamental plants, fruits, and vegetables. Thrips feed by rasping the bud, flower, and leaf tissues and then sucking up the plant sap. This causes distorted and discolored flowers and buds and gray or silvery speckled areas on the leaves. The entire life cycle lasts only 40 days so expect many generations per year. Wind carries thrips over long distances.

Control: Encourage beneficial predators such as lady beetles and aphid lions, the larvae of lacewing flies. Many thrips are attracted to yellow-colored sticky traps or yellow cards lightly coated with mineral oil. Insecticidal soaps and other insecticides are available. Treat during early bud stage and as needed.