Damage is greater to younger plants. The nymphs live in a mass of spittle and suck plant juices. They feed on the leaves and stems. Severely attacked buds appear burned. The larvae overwinter.
Moths appear in early spring with a second generation later in the summer.
The flower thrips commonly feeds on the flowers and fruit of berries. The onion thrips is common on dandelion flower heads. It attacks many plants including strawberry. Earlier feeding results in blossom losses. Slugs can be especially troublesome in wet weather or where heavy mulches are used.