Thrips
Thrips are minute, thin insects that feed within the flowers and on young fruit. They are primarily a problem of nectarines at bloom. Their feeding damages the fruit and scars form as fruit matures. Also affects apple and plum.
Western Flower Thrips
- Symptoms: Fruit scarring/russetting, clear gumming from, scarred areas, deformed fruit.
- Management: Only an insecticide will prevent this injury. Spinosad can be applied during bloom when bees are not flying (at dawn or dusk), or at petal fall.