Thrips palmi
Abbreviation: N/A
Melon thrips is present in: Bangladesh, Brunei, China (numerous provinces, including Hong Kong), India (numerous states), Indonesia (Jave, Sumatra), Korea (North and South), Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Mauritius, Nigeria, Reunion, Sudan, Caribbean, United States (Florida and Hawaii), American Samoa, Australia (Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia), Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Brazil, Columbia, French Guiana, Venezuela.
Melon thrips are a pest of the following plants: feed on a wide variety of crops including eggplant, peppers, tomato, cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, zucchini, and legumes such as beans. Other hosts are plants and cuttings of chrysanthemum, cyclamen, dahlia, orchid, and plumeria.
Evidence of melon thrips damage includes: damage from eating on new leaves and buds of crops, stunting terminal growth. Affected leaves will exhibit a mesh of damage spots and bronze coloration. Feeding by melon thrips is evidenced by a silvering on leaves and fruits. Scar tissue may develop on the surface of commodities.
CBP Agriculture Specialists, please refer to manuals for general inspection guidelines. When performing inspections, examine fruits and listed plant matter for scar tissue and other pest feeding evidence, and verify the products and packaging are free of thrips and any other pests.
