Blossom Thrip

Bean blossom thrip (Megalurothrips usitatus) are small cigar-shaped insects up to 2 mm long. The adults are dark brown with a reddish tinge.

Adults lay their eggs inside the leaf tissue. After feeding, the immature thrip drop from the plant and pupate in the soil. Generations are continual and populations are highest during warm and dry weather. Temperatures of around 20oC favour reproduction and survival. Flower feeding causes twisting and curling of pods.