thrips

Zachary B. Kaufman (zbk43069@challenger.atc.fhda.edu)
Sat, 5 Aug 1995 14:51:22 -0700 (PDT)

It was suggested that the spots of tar looking stuff stuck to
my flava may have been caused by thrips. What is a thrip???
Other than the tiny ants crawling on the flava, I have seen no
other insects. I have looked hard.

It was also suggested that the little drops of tar might be
mildew growing on the nectar. I really doubt this is the
case. Both carnivorous and non-carnivorous leaves have
the spots of "tar" and it is not limited to any particular portions of
the leaves. In addition, the humidity level is adequate, but
not extremely high.

In a few areas I have noticed what look like small sundew-like
tentacles protruding from the leaves (about 1mm high). They are really tiny
and not very numerous in number. Might some form of fungus
be growing in the plant leaves and every now and then rupturing
through the leaf surface to release spores? Could the drops
of "tar" be sarracenia sap that had oozed through the perforation
and hardened and dried?

I am really concerned about this. If I wanted to try a fungicide,
could someone reccomend one as well as warn of possible effects it might
have on the plant. In short, will the fungicide kill, burn, or
disfigure the plant?

thanks,
--Zachary--