Tabebuia Thrips (Holopothrips sp.) Introduced: 2001 (Miami-Dade County). Seasonality: Spring through Fall, whenever tabebuia trees are producing Current Infestation: Broward, Collier, new foliage. Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties. Hosts: Trumpet trees (Tabebuia) Silver trumpet, Tabebuia argentea, Description/Biology: Tabebuia thrips T. aurea, T. caraiba are less than # Pink trumpet, T. heterophylla inch (1.5 to 2.2 Cuban pink trumpet, T. pallida mm) long and light brown. This This thrips can potentially attack all thrips looks tabebuia species, however, pink tabebuia similar to most seems to be the preferred host. other thrips species, but the damage it causes is Thrips adult host plant specific. Larvae (immature stages) are pale yellow, wingless, and fast moving. Thrips adult and larvae All stages are hidden within the damaged (galled) leaf. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, IFAS, FLORIDA A. & M. UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM, AND BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING. Tabebuia Thrips (Holopothrips sp.) Im portance: abebuia thrips are not Natural enemies considered a serious pest, but they can such as the cause severe cosmetic leaf damage. Not minute pirate bug all new growth will be affected. may help suppress this pest. Dam age: Minute pirate bug Damage first Homeowner - appears as Damaged leaves can be pruned. If dimples on needed, use a systemic insecticide such newly formed as imidacloprid (Advanced Garden Tree leaves. Further & Shrub Insect Control) as a root drench damage causes in early spring before new foliage the edges of the emerges. leaves to curl toward the midline. Professional - Damaged leaves can be pruned. If needed, use a systemic Eventually the insecticide such as imidacloprid (Merit) as edges of each a root drench in early spring before new leaflet overlap foliage emerges. or completely curl inward to Grower - There are several insecticides enclose the available for insect control, however, the gall-like use of a systemic insecticide is dimpled areas, recommended due to the thrips hidden which also living habit. Such insecticides include enclose the thrips. acephate, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid. The thrips are visible Other types of insecticides include when the damaged chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, fenoxycarb, leaves are opened. flonicamid, fluvalinate, methiocarb, and spinosad. No serious long term damage, tree decline, or tree death has been observed. W ebsite: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/ Managem ent: In most cases, chemical images/pa-holopothrips3.02.gif treatment is not warranted in the landscape. However, young trees and trees in public areas may need Authors: Catharine Mannion, UF/IFAS, TREC Homestead management. There are no specific Adrian Hunsberger, UF/IFAS, Miami-Dade Extension recommendations for this thrips, Kim Gabel, UF/IFAS, Monroe Extension however, pesticide recommendations for Eileen Buss, UF/IFAS, Entomology Dept., Gainesville Lyle Buss, UF/IFAS, Entomology Dept., Gainesville other types of thrips feeding on ornamental plants may work and Photo Credits: UF/IFAS, James Castner, Holly Glenn, systemic insecticides may provide better Adrian Hunsberger, and Linda Seals control. Always follow label instructions. August 2006 Disclaimer: The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. .