Small translucent spots on phal blooms

[isthelaststop]

I was doing a close inspection of plants this morning, and noticed some translucent spots on phal blooms, all on plants sitting close together. The pink phal show has the largest and worst spots, but there are multiple spots on several plants. The white phal is a more average spot.

I would love to rule out (or confirm) thrips. I've bought a lot of new plants in the last few weeks and a pest issue feels very possible. I've been unable to spot any bugs or droppings.

[estación seca]

That does look like insect or snail damage.

[isthelaststop]

I just found thrips on a monstera in the same room. I have not found any on an orchid yet, but I’m going to have to assume the worst and start treating.

[Roberta]

Thrips for sure. That's the sort of damage they do to flowers. Sometimes they get into buds and the flower opens with dried up edges. They are tiny, so they can get into the house thorugh screens. Definitely treat everything in the room.

[isthelaststop]

Update:

I’ve been washing down with insecticidal soap 2x a week. I haven’t seen another thrips despite careful inspection. I’ve found and discarded a small number of blooms that look munched, though the munching never looks fresh to my eyes. No indicators of munched leaves.

I found mealybugs on a phal flower several days ago and made the call to treat with a systemic (spinosad), since that dropped my confidence in the wipe downs. I’m going to continue to keep a close eye on the blooms and consider something sprayable, since I know systemics don’t reach blooms well.

Having never run into indoor bugs before, I’m now feeling much more cautious about bringing in new plants.

[Roberta]

You likely won't catch thrips in the act... they fly actively. (They DO sometimes photobomb my orchid pix...) Mealybugs love Phals... 70% rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab (or, I just stick a sprayer in the bottle and have at it). They are covered with a waxy coating, when you touch one with that alcohol-soaked swab the coading disaolves away leaving the naked little bug. Very satisfying. You can spray that 70% isopropol alcohol on flowers with no harm. it evaborates quickly, but gets down into the crevices where the mealies hide and dispatches them.