Western Flower Thrips appears in comparatively small populations. Nevertheless it is a serious pest. In Kalanchoe, Thrips do not likely feed on flowers but rather on the tender tissue of the growing tips of actively growing plants. The damage shows as scars and deformations on the new leaves as they unfold some days after the feeding. Western Flower Thrips also acts as a vector for Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus.
Biological control seems possible in very controlled environments.
We recommend to monitor your thrips population weekly with the help of sticky cards. Even small counts of adult thrips on the cards should be cause for concern in Kalanchoe crops. Thrips damage on Kalanchoe leaves. Mealybugs cause damage through feeding on axillary buds and growing tips. Mealybugs are hard to eliminate from the greenhouse, and early detection is again the key to good control.