← Gallery II · The Orders
No. 21 · Hemimetabolous
Thrips
Thysanoptera
~6,000
Described species
~9
Families
Introduction
Thrips are agriculturally significant — they damage crops directly and vector tospoviruses. The word 'thrips' is both singular and plural; there is no such thing as a single 'thrip'.
Field marks
Key ID traits.
Tiny (0.5–14 mm), slender. Wings (when present) are narrow strips fringed with long hairs. Asymmetrical mouthparts — left mandible only. Major plant pests.
Etymology
Greek thysanos 'tassel/fringe' + pteron 'wing'
Wings
Variable
Diet
Herbivore · Predator
Habitat
Terrestrial
Notable examples
Western flower thrips, onion thrips, gladiolus thrips.
Where to look