Help with Bug ID - Orchid Board

nhman · #1 11-05-2010, 08:47 PM

I have noticed a bug that seems particularly attracted to by catt flowers.
It is small, less than 1 mm long, and much narrower than it's length.
It has a light colored body and - under magnification - seems to have mult legs. It can "run" quickly as well.
They like to hang out on the catt flowers and run behind the petals when "challenged" by spray.
I would like anyone's thoughts as to ID'ing them.
Thanks!

Daethen · #2 11-05-2010, 10:03 PM

Anyway you could get a picture?

nhman · #3 11-06-2010, 12:06 PM

Might be difficult as they are pretty small critters.....too small to capture with any clarity with my cell phone camera. I can try my wife's digital and see if that works, but being rather computer challenged, getting those pics to "jump" into the computer so that I can send them out may be kinda fun!

PaphMadMan · #4 11-07-2010, 09:56 PM

Thrips maybe?

Ethan · #5 11-08-2010, 09:02 AM

Sounds very much like thrips to me. Google "thrips" and you will be able to identify your critters. Sadly I've had them in my greenhouse for about a year and a half - they are nearly impossible to get rid of due to their rapid breeding cycle. They do love catt flowers and can be very damaging to them. The best defense I have found is Bayer 3-in-1 spray used to spray the entire greenhouse once a week. Or Bayer insect killer (make sure thrips is listed on the label) for spot treatment. I've tried everything and Bayer seems to be the most lethal to thrips and causes no harm to the plant/flower. Hope this info helps!

BikerDoc5968 · #6 11-08-2010, 10:52 AM

I would agree with Ethan as to the ID and the treatment. If you start to see tiny brown spots on the flowers that should confirm the ID as thrips. You should spray all of your chids making sure the insecticide gets into all the deep recesses of the flowers and plants. Spray the growing media also. Then isolate the most infected of the plant/s. Wipe down/spray the growing area. These guys can be as nasty as mealy....well almost. Bayer 3-in-1 is sold at Lowes but now they are marketing it in a spray to attach to your garden hose. I would suspect it is the same concentrated formula they used to market so it is 5 1/2 Tablespoons to a gallon or just a bit more than 4 teaspoons/32 oz. The 1st pic is the old marketed product package. The 2nd is the current package. I'd love to find the 1st one again but haven't been too successful.