Is this thrip on my rubber plant (UK, indoors)?
It is a recurring problem. I've held it back with either neam oil or warm soapy water wash along with picking off the infected leaves, but it keeps returning. Any advice on more long term solution? I've not seen it on any of my other plants.
The indoor climate is very dry, but there's not much I can do about that. I'm in a new build with constant air circulation/filtering so any localised moisture solution such as a pebble bed is going to be immediately dispersed round the flat and filtered out (that said, it was also a problem in my previous, slightly damp flat).
Thanks!
by user198686
1 Comment
Based on the symptoms visible on the leaf, here is a detailed analysis and treatment plan:
1. The Diagnosis: Thrips Damage
The silvery, bleached-out patches and the tiny black “fecal spots” are definitive signs of a Thrips infestation. These pests rasp the leaf surface and suck out the chlorophyll, which creates that translucent, ghost-like appearance.
2. Why It Keeps Returning
Thrips have a complex life cycle that makes them very difficult to eliminate with just soap or neem oil:
Internal Eggs: They lay their eggs inside the leaf tissue, where surface sprays cannot reach them.
Soil Stage: Part of their life cycle is spent in the soil, meaning they can re-infest the plant even after you clean the leaves.
3. Recommended Action Plan
Systemic Treatment: Use a systemic insecticide (granules or liquid) that you apply to the soil. The plant absorbs this, making the entire leaf toxic to the thrips when they try to feed.
Sticky Traps: Place blue sticky traps near the plant. Thrips are specifically attracted to blue, and this will help catch the flying adults.
Pruning: If only a few leaves are as badly damaged as the one in the photo, it is best to remove them entirely and dispose of them outside to reduce the population.
Combat Dry Air: Thrips thrive in the dry, filtered air of modern buildings. Increasing humidity with a dedicated humidifier can help make the environment less favorable for them.
Taken from PlantWise App 🌱
https://apps.apple.com/tr/app/plantwise-ai-plant-identifier/id6755405550