Flowers can be streaked, mottled or flecked with off-color areas. In some cases new growth may become misshapen and deformed, or buds may fail to open. The potential exists for INSV to cause problems in cut flower production also. Insects with rasping-sucking mouthparts make them vulnerable to insecticides with systemic and contact activity. Since thrips prefer to feed in tight, protected places such as expanding flower buds, multiple applications of insecticides are often necessary for adequate management.
Aphids can occur in large numbers very quickly.
Apart from the damage they inflict directly by removing plant juices, they also are effective vectors of many virus diseases. Plants can generally cope with small numbers of aphids. However, during high temperautre, aphids have the capacity to multiply rapidly and cause extensive damage. The fourlined and tarnished plant bugs are the most injurious species and attack a large number of different cut flowers. Plant bugs cause spotting on the upper leaf surface and deformed blossom heads as a result of feeding.