Thrips

Scientific Name: Various species within the order Thysanoptera

Order & Family: Order: Thysanoptera, Family: Varies (e.g., Thripidae, Phlaeothripidae)

Size: Generally very small, typically 0.5 to 1.5 mm in length, though some species can be up to 14 mm.

Thrips

Natural Habitat

Widely distributed globally, found on a variety of plants, including ornamental plants, agricultural crops, and wild vegetation. Can also be found indoors on houseplants.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly plant sap, pollen, and fungal spores. Some species are predatory on other small arthropods.

Behavior Patterns

Thrips typically feed by piercing plant cells and sucking out the contents. Many species have complex reproductive cycles, including parthenogenesis (reproduction without fertilization). They are often found on various parts of plants, and some species can fly short distances.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Many thrips species are considered agricultural pests, causing damage to crops by feeding (leading to silvering, distortion, or necrosis of leaves and fruits) and by transmitting plant viruses. Benefits: Some thrips species are beneficial predators of other pests, and some play a role in pollination.

Identified on: 8/25/2025