Damage to cattelya blooms caused by Thrips and Yellow Beetles

[catttan]

I'm posting some pictures of my cattelyas showing the damage caused by thrips and yellow beetles. Here in the tropics it is an unending battle against insect pests. The thrip infestation recently has caused havoc with the blooms especially to cattelyas and vandas.The thrip infestation is under control now after 2 spraying with Malathion. I'll have to spray with Malathion again just to make sure.

P1 - Blc Haadyai Delight 'Bangprom Gold' showing damage by thrips- the discoloured areas
on petals
P2 - Blc Alma Kee 'Tipmalee' showing petal eaten by yellow beetle
P3 - Blc Haadyai Delight- normal without damage by pests
P4 - Blc King of Taiwn 'Da Hsin' #1 - thrip damage ...white edges on petals and lip

[Kmac]

Such beautiful orchids! Its a shame to see them damaged...but they still manage to be pretty!

[Tmai]

Thanks for the post - it helps to be able to see the damage caused by an identified pest.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Oh, so sorry for the damage, but your blooms are still beautiful. What do you do about the yellow beetles? Does the Malathion also kill those pests or are you required to do something else?

Cheers,
BD

[sarraceniac]

Oh, so sorry for the damage, but your blooms are still beautiful. What do you do about the yellow beetles? Does the Malathion also kill those pests or are you required to do something else?

Cheers,
BD

I'd like to know that too Bruce. I would imagine that anything that will kill head lice will kill any old beetle you can throw at it. But it does amaze me that you can use one of the strongest (without prescription anyway) insecticides known to modern pharmacy on something as delicate looking as an orchid. One of the members on here told me when I first joined that orchids are very hardy and tough. I wasn't so sure about that but I am sure learning fast and would like to apologise for doubting him or her (can't remember who it was).

[catttan]

Oh, so sorry for the damage, but your blooms are still beautiful. What do you do about the yellow beetles? Does the Malathion also kill those pests or are you required to do something else?

Cheers,
BD

I'm glad to report that the Malathion has the thrips under control for the moment and and my cattelyas are blooming in time for the Chinese Lunar New Year. Malathion doesn't seem to affect the yellow beetles at all with the recommended concentration of 12ml to the gallon(4 litres). The only way is to catch them and crush them before they do too much damage or lay their eggs. The larvae are the most voracious eating machines ever and are not affected by contact with Malathion or from eating blooms with Malathion residue. BTW in Malaysia pesticides are classified according to their toxicity and Class 3 & 4 are allowed to be sold over the counter.Malathion is Class 3. Class 1 & 2 are banned.Malathion is supposed to oxidise after 8 hours and rendered harmless.In the 60s dieldrin was widely used and was most effective. It killed everything from insects to snails to birds that pecked at the buds!! Of course it is universally banned now