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Onion Thrips

Practical biological control, IPM and environmental pest-management knowledge.


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Onion Thrips

Overview

Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) is an important thrips species in onions, alliums and outdoor vegetable systems.

It may also occur in protected crops and ornamental systems.


Crop relevance

Important in:

  • onions
  • leeks
  • garlic
  • alliums
  • outdoor vegetables

Symptoms

  • silvering
  • streaking
  • leaf scarring
  • reduced vigour
  • distorted foliage

Environmental drivers

Pressure often increases during:

  • warm dry weather
  • crop stress
  • dry canopy conditions
  • prolonged stable weather

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Commonly affected crops


Additional IPM notes

Onion thrips can affect alliums, herbs, ornamentals and protected crops.

It may feed in tight leaf folds and protected growing points, making early detection difficult.

Symptoms include silvering, streaking and reduced plant quality.

Monitoring should include direct plant inspections, not just sticky traps, because populations may remain hidden inside foliage.