Thrips
Order Thysanoptera
- Order & Family
- Order Thysanoptera (various families such as Thripidae or Phlaeothripidae)
- Size
- 0.5 to 5 mm (typically very small and slender)
Natural Habitat
Found worldwide on a large variety of plants including crops, flowers, and trees; occasionally found on outdoor furniture or in homes during heavy infestations.
Diet & Feeding
Most species feed on plant sap by piercing cells and sucking the contents; some are predatory, eating small insects or mites; some feed on fungus or pollen.
Behavior Patterns
Thrips are active flyers despite their fringed wings. They undergo a unique metamorphosis and are known for producing large populations quickly. They often swarm during hot, humid weather and may land on humans.
Risks & Benefits
While many are agricultural pests that damage crops and transmit plant viruses, they are generally harmless to humans. They can occasionally 'pinch' or bite human skin, which may cause a minor, temporary itch, but they do not transmit diseases to people.