Thrips

Thrips are tiny insects that are most abundant in temperate and tropical climates. There are over 6,000 species of thrips; however, few species are serious pests capable of causing considerable damage, and some are even considered beneficial. Pest thrips populations can build up rapidly on many plants in urban landscapes causing severe damage to developing leaves, flowers, buds, and/or fruit. Host range varies by species with specialists attacking a small number of hosts and generalists feeding on hosts in dozens of plant families.