JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs Forums Photo Galleries Ask The Experts Tools & Directories        
Return to the Tomato Pests & Diseases Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
Thrips Or Disease Or Both?

Posted by lelia Northern Cal (My Page) on
Tue, Jul 17, 07 at 14:18

First of all, I know I have thrips because

1. I've seen them
2. I've seen their poop
3. Along the central vein of the affected leaves is a sheen

There are quite a few leaves on a few of my tomatoes (spreading around it seems) that are yellowing. They are all older leaves near the base, and I've been reading about a disease called Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus that is spread by thrips. Can this damage be caused by thrips alone, or is a disease setting in? I'm starting to get worried.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: Thrips Or Disease Or Both?

  • Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
    Thu, Jul 19, 07 at 0:50

The description at Cornell (below) doesn't match your pciture>

-----
"Tomato. Symptoms expressed on leaves, petioles, stems, and fruit will vary, depending on the stage plants are infected. Young leaves may show small, dark-brown spots and eventually die (fig. 11). Dark brown streaks also appear on stems and leaf petioles. Growing tips are usually severely affected with systemic necrosis and greatly stunted growth (fig. 12). The plant may exhibit one-sided growth. Tomato fruit set on severely infected plants will display very characteristic symptoms: immature fruit have mottled, light green rings with raised centers; the unique orange and red discoloration patterns on mature fruits make them unmarketable (fig. 13)."

http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/PhotoPages/Tomatoes/Tom_SpWilt/Tom_SpWiltFS14.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornell info re Tomato spotted wilt virus


 o
RE: Thrips Or Disease Or Both? - more

  • Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
    Thu, Jul 19, 07 at 0:56

Lots of info online doesn't match your photos.

From TAMU
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tomatoproblemsolver/leaves/30b.html

From Auburn University

http://www.ag.auburn.edu/aaes/organicveg/OrganicVegetableProductioninAlabama_000.php

Pictures from Univ Florida

http://www.hos.ufl.edu/vegetarian/03/April/Apr03.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: TAMU


 o
RE: Thrips Or Disease Or Both?

  • Posted by lelia Northern Cal (My Page) on
    Thu, Jul 19, 07 at 11:08

Thank you, yes I agree that it doesn't resemble Spotted Wilt Virus, but I just couldn't believe that all those yellowing leaves were the result of such teeny-tiny insects. By now, however, I am totally convinced that thrips are responsible for every molecule of damage,and I am happily awaiting a delivery of predatory insects that feed on thrips. I hope the new insects realize what a schmorgasbord they have in my yard and decide to stick around.


 
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network