Chilli thrips are very small, only about 1-2 mm long, and slender. They are yellow to brown in color with dark wings. They are difficult to see with the naked eye, but you may be able to spot them if you shake a leaf over a piece of white paper. The loss caused by thrips in chilli can be significant, ranging from 20% to 80% of the crop yield. These tiny insects, barely visible to the naked eye, feed on the sap of chilli plants, stunting their growth, distorting leaves and fruits, and reducing their quality and marketability. In severe cases, they can even lead to complete crop failure. Thrips pierce the plant tissue with their needle-like mouthparts and suck out the sap. This disrupts the plant's ability to photosynthesize and produce food, leading to stunted growth, wilting, and leaf drop. Thrips feeding on developing fruits can cause scarring, discoloration, and misshapen fruits, making them unmarketable. Some thrips species are vectors for plant viruses, which can further damage the crop and reduce yields.
Classification:
- Type: Pest
- Common Name: Thrips
- Scientific name: Scirtothrips dorsalis
- Major parts affected in plants: Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits
- Major affected states: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka
Favorable conditions of Chilli Thrips:
- Warm weather: Chilli thrips prefer warm temperatures, with optimal development occurring between 25-30°C (77-86°F). They can survive a wide temperature range, however, from as low as 9.7°C (49°F) to as high as 33.0°C (91°F).
- Moderate humidity: While they can tolerate a range of humidity levels, chilli thrips generally do best in moderate humidity (50-70%).
Symptoms of Chilli Thrips:
On Leaves:
- Silvery patches: Thrips feeding on the undersides of leaves create air bubbles trapped in damaged cells, causing these silvery patches.
- Stunted growth: Thrips drain essential nutrients from leaves, hindering the plant's growth.
- Leaf distortion: Curling, crinkling, and bronzing of leaves can occur due to thrips feeding.
On Flowers:
- Deformed or stunted buds: Thrips feeding on flower buds can stunt their development and cause them to drop.
- Brownish streaks on petals: This is caused by thrips scraping the surface of petals as they feed.
- Reduced fruit set: Damage to flowers leads to fewer fruits developing.
On Fruits:
- Misshapen development: Thrips damage can cause fruits to grow irregularly or become deformed.
- Discoloration: In some cases, fruits may show areas of discoloration due to thrips feeding.
Control measures for Thrips in Chilli Crop:
|
Products |
Technical Names |
Dosage |
| Fipronil 40 % + Imidacloprid 40 % wg |
Use 100-120 gm per acre |
|
| Fipronil 80% WDG |
20-24 gm/acre |
|
| Verticillium lecanii + Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhizium anisopliae |
mix 2 Liters of Solution Per Acre. |
|
| Spinosad 45 % sc |
60-90 ml per Acre |
|
| Diafenthiuron 40.1% + Acetamiprid 3.9% WP |
200-250 grams per acre |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are thrips in chili?
A. Thrips in chilli are tiny pests that feed on the plant sap, leading to significant crop damage.
Q. How do I control mirchi thrips?
A. To control mirchi thrips, use insecticides like Fipronil and Spinosad, and implement good farming practices.
Q. What are the symptoms of black thrips in chilli?
A. Black thrips in chilli can cause silvery patches on leaves, stunted growth, and deformed fruits.
Q. What is the scientific name of chilli thrips?
A. The scientific name of chilli thrips is Scirtothrips dorsalis, a major pest affecting chilli crops.
