Thrips cause lesions on which parts of the plant?

Thrips cause lesions on which parts of the plant?

• A. Young leaves and flower petals
• B. Old bark
• C. Roots
• D. Fruits

Answer: (A)

Thrips feed by piercing the surface cells of plant tissue and sucking out the contents, so they target soft, developing tissues that are easy to access. This makes young leaves and flower petals especially vulnerable, because their epidermis is thin and the tissues are actively growing. Feeding there creates the characteristic tiny, silvery or bronzed patches and stippling you see on new growth, along with possible deformation. In contrast, old bark is tougher and less penetrable, roots are usually protected underground, and while fruits can be damaged, the classic lesions from thrips occur most prominently on new leaves and petals. So the best answer reflects where thrips most reliably produce those damaging lesions.

Thrips feed by piercing the surface cells of plant tissue and sucking out the contents, so they target soft, developing tissues that are easy to access. This makes young leaves and flower petals especially vulnerable, because their epidermis is thin and the tissues are actively growing. Feeding there creates the characteristic tiny, silvery or bronzed patches and stippling you see on new growth, along with possible deformation. In contrast, old bark is tougher and less penetrable, roots are usually protected underground, and while fruits can be damaged, the classic lesions from thrips occur most prominently on new leaves and petals. So the best answer reflects where thrips most reliably produce those damaging lesions.