Franklinothrips vespiformis (150 pcs.) | against thrips

The specialist against invasive thrips on houseplants and exotic ornamental plants

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⚠️ Note: Beneficial insects are only shipped once a week (Tuesday). Order by Monday at 8:00 AM – and remember to pick up the package immediately upon arrival.

Predatory thrips (Franklinothrips vespiformis) are a specialized beneficial insect, developed to combat more difficult and invasive thrips species that are increasingly found on exotic houseplants, orchids, and other tropical ornamental plants.

While common thrips predatory mites primarily attack the early larval stages, predatory thrips are active hunters that move directly on the leaves, seeking out thrips where they cause damage. This makes them particularly effective against species that can be difficult to control with traditional beneficial insects.

The product contains 150 adult predatory thrips, which will quickly begin hunting and establishing themselves on the plants.

Effective against several thrips species

Predatory thrips combat a wide range of thrips species, including:

• Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
• Echinothrips
• Orchid thrips (Chaetanaphothrips orchidii)
• Japanese flower thrips (Thrips setosus)
• Brown greenhouse thrips (Hercinothrips femoralis)
• Thrips parvispinus

These thrips can cause silvery leaves, deformities, growth inhibition, and weakened plants by rasping the leaf surface and sucking plant sap.

Why predatory thrips are a great choice

• Specialized control of invasive thrips species
• Actively hunts thrips directly on the leaves
• Suitable for exotic houseplants, orchids, and tropical ornamental plants
• Rapid reproduction and long-term biological control
• Can be combined with other beneficial insects for maximum effect
• 100% natural and non-toxic solution

Fast establishment

Predatory thrips reproduce quickly under good conditions. The population consists mainly of females, each of which can lay up to 300 eggs during their lifetime. After a few weeks, a new generation will begin to participate in the pest control, providing a more stable and long-term suppression of thrips.

The adult predatory thrips is black and almost looks like a small ant, while the larvae are distinctively bright orange and therefore easy to distinguish from the pests.

Full effect is usually achieved after 5-6 weeks once the population has established itself.

Application

Predatory thrips can be released indoors all year round, but the best results are obtained in the brighter months from March to September.

Distribute the predatory thrips directly on the leaves or in bio-boxes, which are hung in the plants.

Recommended dosage

• 10-20 predatory thrips per m²
• 25-50 predatory thrips per plant in case of heavy infestation

The product works best at temperatures between 18 and 30 °C.

Signs of thrips on plants

Thrips are small, elongated insects that feed by rasping the plant's surface and sucking plant sap. They can be hard to spot with the naked eye, but the damage to the plants is often very characteristic.

Typical signs of thrips are:

• Silvery-grey or silver-shining areas on the leaves.
• Small black dots of excrement on leaves and flowers.
• Discolored or deformed new leaves.
• Scars and light streaks on the leaves.
• Damaged flowers with discolorations or brown edges.
• Stunted growth in case of heavy infestations.

Thrips often stay on the underside of leaves, in new shoots, or hidden inside flowers. Therefore, infestations are often only discovered once the damage becomes visible.

A 10× magnifying glass makes it much easier to find both adult thrips and larvae before the infestation develops. Yellow sticky traps can also be used to monitor whether there are still adult thrips flying around among the plants.

Can be advantageously combined with other beneficial insects

For larger or prolonged infestations, it is recommended to combine predatory thrips with other biological beneficial insects.

An effective combination could be, for example:

• Thrips predatory mites for the early larval stages
• Orius pirate bugs for adult thrips and larger larvae
• Yellow sticky traps for monitoring and catching flying thrips

By combining several beneficial insects, the thrips are attacked throughout their entire life cycle, which provides the most effective and long-lasting control.

Important information about delivery of beneficial insects

• Order deadline: The producer packs and ships only once weekly – every Tuesday. Your order must be received by us no later than Monday at 8:00 AM.
• Late orders: Orders received after Monday at 8:00 AM will not be shipped until the following Tuesday.
• Direct delivery: Beneficial insects are shipped directly from the producer to ensure freshness and optimal quality.
• Delivery method: All orders are always delivered to a Bring parcel shop/parcel locker. The system automatically selects the one closest to your address, even if you select home delivery at checkout.
• Quick pickup: Beneficial insects should be picked up as soon as possible and used immediately upon receipt to ensure the best possible effect.