Thrips

OHI The editors of Old-House Interiors magazine

Thrips

Thrips are small (1 to 4 mm), cigar-shaped insects. Adults have narrow, fringed wings not usually visible without a hand lens. They are particularly common on flowers, flower buds and dense leaf buds. Feeding damage to unfolded leaves may cause the leaves to be distorted when they develop and unfold. To diagnose heavy infestations of thrips, look for dark, shiny drops of excrement and the small, cigar-shaped adults.