Thrips

Natural Habitat

Widely distributed globally, found on a broad range of host plants including agricultural crops, ornamental plants, trees, and weeds. They prefer warm, dry conditions.

Diet & Feeding

Plant sap (herbivorous). Some species are predatory on other small arthropods or fungal spores.

Behavior Patterns

Thrips have a complex life cycle involving egg, two larval instars, two pupal-like instars (prepupa and pupa), and an adult stage. The duration of the life cycle varies greatly with temperature, from a few days to several weeks. Adults and nymphs feed on plant sap by piercing cells and sucking out the contents, which causes a silvery sheen, stippling, and distortion of leaves, flowers, and fruits. They are often found on the undersides of leaves or within flower structures. Some species are solitary, while others may aggregate.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Thrips are significant agricultural pests, causing direct damage to plants by feeding, leading to reduced yield and aesthetic quality. They are also important vectors for plant viruses, such as Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV), which can devastate crops. Benefits: A few thrips species are predatory and can help control other pest mites or insects. Some species are also involved in pollination, though this is less common or significant compared to their pest status.

Identified on: 8/8/2025