The main pest of leek is the onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), which damages leaves by sucking out cell sap. This leads to the formation of necrotic spots, reduced photosynthesis, and plant weakening, while also creating a risk of secondary infections and viruses.
In the reference
33
varieties
crop Leek,
where this is mentioned in the description.
The onion thrips feeds on the cell sap of the leek leaf epidermis. Characteristic whitish necrotic spots form at the sites of damage, which may eventually merge, turn yellow or brown; the pest's excrement is often found on the underside of these spots.
Damage to the epidermis reduces the total photosynthetic area of the plant, which negatively affects the growth and development rates of the crop. Furthermore, tissue punctures become entry points for secondary fungal infections, and the pest itself acts as a vector for the cucumber mosaic virus.
General information about the subject — on the page
Thrips.
Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.