Bug Identifier
Likely thrips larva
Community identification

Likely thrips larva

Order-level identification only; likely Thysanoptera, family Thripidae

Order & Family
Thysanoptera; commonly Thripidae
Size
About 0.5–2 mm as immature larvae; adults are typically 1–2 mm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Plant foliage, flowers, and growing tips, especially indoors or in greenhouses. The image may instead show shed skin or debris, so habitat cannot be confirmed.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae scrape plant cells and suck the released fluids, causing silvery stippling and distortion. Some species feed on fungi or small arthropods.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are slender, pale, and mobile, often hiding in leaf folds or flowers; they molt through several stages before pupating in sheltered sites or soil. Adults may disperse by crawling or weak flight.

Risks & Benefits

Plant-feeding species can damage crops and transmit plant viruses, but usually do not bite people. Predatory thrips can help suppress mites and other small pests.