Host Plants
Chilli thrips have a very broad host range and may feed on more than 150 plant species in 40 plant families. Additional plant species may be added to the list as this pest continues to expand its geographical range. The list includes many commonly grown landscape plant species (Table 1) and many important food and fiber crops.
In Florida some of the most common plants attacked in the landscape are roses, schefflera, Indian hawthorn, and pittosporum.
| Table 1. Some common landscape plants that are hosts for chilli thrips. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | Dahlia | Japanese pieris | Rose |
| Azalea | Duranta | Ligustrum | Snapdragon |
| Banana | Edible fig | Lisianthus | Strawberry |
| Begonia | Euonymus | Maple | Sweet basil |
| Camellia | Firethorn | Mealy cup sage | Tabasco pepper |
| Castor bean | Geranium | Mexican heather | Tomato |
| Celosia | Gerbera daisy | Pentas | Verbena |
| Chrysanthemum | Grape | Petunia | Viburnum |
| Citrus | Impatiens | Pittosporum | Viola |
| Coleus | Indian hawthorn | Podocarpus | Zinnia |
| Coreopsis | Japanese holly | Porcelain berry | |
| Crape myrtle | Japanese photinia | Purple amaranth | |
