Thrips

Thrips are tiny insects, also known as thunderflies, thunderbugs, storm flies, thunderblights, or corn lice. They belong to the order Thysanoptera, which comprises more than 7,000 species. Thrips are characterized by their fringed wings and asymmetrical mouthparts.

Description

Thrips are minute, slender insects with fringed wings and unique asymmetrical mouthparts. Different thrips species feed mostly on plants by puncturing and sucking up the contents, although a few are predators. Approximately 6,000 species have been described. They fly only weakly and their feathery wings are unsuitable for conventional flight; instead, thrips exploit an unusual mechanism, clap and fling, to create lift using an unsteady circulation pattern with transient vortices near the wings.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of thrips consists of two larval stages, a non-feeding prepupal stage, a pupal stage, and an adult stage. The entire life cycle can be completed in as little as two weeks, but may take longer depending on the species and environmental conditions.

Economic Impact

Thrips are considered pests in many circumstances because some of them feed on plant fluids, damaging crops and causing significant economic losses. They can also act as vectors for plant diseases, such as Tospoviruses.

Management

Management of thrips is difficult due to their small size and hidden feeding habits. Cultural practices, biological control, and chemical control are the three main methods used to manage thrips.

See Also

• Thysanoptera
• Tospoviruses

References

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