what is this pest?
Dennis Kramb (Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:07:28 PDT)

I didn't get any reply on another gardening forum, so I'll re-post
here to PBS....

---------- Forwarded message ----------

These little guys wiped out many plants in my collection last year.
And they're back this year.  The best I can figure is they're some
kind of foliar thrips, if there is such a thing.  What do you guys
think?

Nematanthus brasiliensis
http://www.badbear.com/P9030010.JPG
http://www.badbear.com/what%20is%20it%201.jpg

Niphaea oblonga
http://www.badbear.com/P9030013.JPG
http://www.badbear.com/what%20is%20it%202.jpg

They wiped out a bunch of my baby AVs already, before I realized it
was actually pests, and not overwatering making my AVs sick.  Ugh.

They seem to love Geseriads, Begonias, Amaryllids, Orchids, but not so
much Irids, or Passiflora.

Thanks.
Dennis in Cincy