A plant with deep roots in the winter holiday season, the poinsettia is a staple for winter decor. Chris Enroth, a horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension explains there is a pest that has been impacting this year’s poinsettia plant.
“It’s called a thrip, and the specific name is parvispinus, and we are seeing issues with poinsettias that are infested with this particular insect that have been spreading around the country, says Enroth. “So, if you have issues with your poinsettia, feel free to call us at your local extension office. Maybe we can help diagnose what’s going on.”
Thrip is an invasive pest species that can cause significant damage to a plant and even spread to other, nearby plants.