Posted by The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is a destructive pest of numerous greenhouse and nursery crops. It damages the leaves and flowers of the plants, and can carry diseases, such as the tomato spotted virus, which attacks many vegetables. The species is known worldwide Body length 0.04 inches (1-2 mm).
Thrips Insect Facts:
Common name: Thrips (thunder bugs)
Order: Thysanoptera
Class: Insecta
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Number of species: About 5,000 (700 US)
Size: From about 0.02 in (0.5 mm) to 0.6 in (15 mm)
Key features: Body long and slim; head with compound eyes and sucking mouthparts, antennae short; both fore-and hind wings, when present, are barlike with fringes of hairs; hind legs used for jumping; nymphs resemble adults, but are wingless
Habits: Many live on flowers and developing seed heads, some form in plant tissues; others live on fungi; may disperse in their millions on warm days
Breeding: Reproduce both sexually and by laying unfertilized males of many species fight each other for female
Diet: The majority are plant and fungus feeders, while a few are predaceous
Habitat: Forests, grassland, gardens, cultivated fields, orchards deserts, and semideserts
Distribution: Worldwide