Thrips

Natural Habitat

Thrips are found in a wide variety of habitats including on plants (flowers, leaves, fruits), in soil, under bark, and sometimes indoors, especially near windows or on indoor plants.

Diet & Feeding

Most thrips are phytophagous, feeding on plant sap, pollen, and fungal spores. Some species are predatory, feeding on other small arthropods or their eggs.

Behavior Patterns

Thrips are small, slender insects, often with fringed wings. They move relatively quickly, sometimes jumping or flying short distances. They reproduce through both sexual and asexual means, often with multiple generations per year. They can be found in large aggregations, particularly on flowers.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Many species are significant agricultural pests, causing damage to crops by feeding on plant tissues, leading to discoloration, distortion, and reduced yield. They can also transmit plant viruses. Benefits: Some species are beneficial as pollinators or as predators of other pest insects like mites and mealybugs.

Identified on: 9/20/2025