POMEGRANATE THRIP

Thrips, Rhiphiphorothrips cruentatus (Hood) and Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) are widely distributed polyphagous pests. Generally of minor importance but occasionally become serious.  

Appearance:

The adults(Rhiphiphorothrips cruentatus) are minute, slender, soft bodied insects with heavily fringed wings, blackish brown with yellowish wings and measure 1.4mm long. Scirtothrips dorsalis adult is straw yellow in colour. The nymphs are minute yellowish brown in colour   

Rhiphiphorothrips cruentatus

Scirtothrips dorsalis

Life cycle:

Female lays on an average 50 dirty white bean-shaped eggs on the under surface of leaves.The incubation period is 3-8 days.Newly hatched nymphs are reddish and turn yellowish brown as they grow. Pupal period lasts 2-5 days 

Nature of damage:

Both nymphs and adults feed on the underside of the leaves by rasping the surface and sucking the oozing cell-sap.

Damage symptoms:

Leaf tip turn brown and get curled, drying and shedding of flowers and scab on fruits which will reduce the market value.

                                

                     Leaf tip turn brown and get curled                                          Dried leaves due to thrips

                                                   

                  Thrips damage on flower buds                                                     Thrips damage on fruits