Brazilian Peppertree Thrips Facts
The Brazilian peppertree thrips (common name), or Pseudophilothrips ichini (scientific name) begins work on a Brazilian peppertree inside the UF/IFAS-IRREC Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory
- Common name: Brazilian peppertree thrips
- Scientific name: Pseudophilothrips ichini
- Native to Brazil
- The Brazilian peppertree thrip feeds on the growing tips of Brazilian peppertree.
- Both adults and immatures feed and damage Brazilian peppertree.
- Feeding by the Brazilian peppertree thrips can cause growing tips of the plant to die and can significantly reduce plant growth and vigor.
- Immatures feed by piercing young shoots and sucking plant sap.
- Adults feed on young stems and can also feed on the flowers, causing them to abort.