
Community identification
Thrips (likely Thysanoptera)
Order Thysanoptera
- Order & Family
- Order: Thysanoptera; Families include Thripidae and Phlaeothripidae
- Size
- 0.5 to 5 mm (most are less than 2 mm)
Natural Habitat
Found globally on various plants, flowers, crops, and sometimes indoors or on outdoor furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Most species feed on plant sap by piercing cells; some are predatory or fungal feeders.
Behavior Patterns
Thrips are known for being very active, flying or hopping when disturbed. They have fringed wings and go through a unique metamorphosis that includes non-feeding 'pupal' stages.
Risks & Benefits
They are major agricultural pests that can transmit plant viruses. To humans, they may bite occasionally causing minor, temporary skin irritation, but they do not transmit human diseases.