Identifying thrips on Monstera
Silver streaks or scarring on leaf surfaces and tiny dark dashes (the insects themselves) visible on close inspection, sometimes with distorted new growth on unfurling leaves.
Life cycle
Multiple generations per year. Pupate in soil. Spread rapidly in warm conditions.
Damage to Monstera
Thrips scar the surface of Monstera's large leaves with silvery patches and can distort new fenestrated leaves as they unfurl, permanently marking growth that would otherwise be a highlight of the plant.
How to treat thrips on Monstera
Isolate the plant if possible, use blue sticky traps to catch adults, and treat with spinosad or neem oil across all leaf surfaces, including undersides. Remove any heavily damaged leaves.
Preventing thrips on Monstera
Inspect new plants and cut flowers before bringing them near your Monstera, and remove plant debris from the soil surface where thrips can pupate.