Broccoli, Cole crops: Thrips

• Categories: Broccoli, Cole Crops Broccoli, Cole crops Insects Vegetables
• Last review date: 2026-04-09 02:22

Biology

Thrips are tiny (≤1⁄20″), elongate, yellowish to dark insects.

Thrips feeding can result in whitish stippling or streaking of leaves. Buds may be damaged, resulting in misshapen plant parts. Thrips are an occasional problem in cabbage.

Management Options

See "Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Landscape" for successful problem management techniques.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Predaceous thrips, green lacewing larvae, and minute pirate bugs are important predators of plant-feeding thrips.
• Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill these and other beneficial insects.
• Control weeds, which can be important alternate hosts for plant-feeding thrips.

Chemical Management

• Apply products according to label instructions when thrips or early damage is first observed.

Approved Pesticides

If you choose to use a pesticide, some examples of products that are legal in Washington are listed below. Some products are labeled for just INDOOR or just OUTDOOR use, or may allow both uses. Be sure to choose a product appropriate for your situation. Always read and follow all label directions.

• Bonide Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew R-T-U [Organic]
  Active ingredient: spinosad (spinosyn A+D)
  EPA registration number: 4-472
• Safer Brand BioNEEM Multi-Purpose Insecticide and Repellent Concentrate [Organic]
  Active ingredient: azadirachtin
  EPA registration number: 70051-6-42697
• Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap with Seaweed Extract II [Organic]
  Active ingredient: potassium salts of fatty acid
  EPA registration number: 42697-59
• This list may not include all products registered for this use.