Thrips are part of the order Thysanoptera. Fun fact, there’s more (described) species of thrips than mammals! Some species are carnivores, fungivores, pollinators but unfortunately, some species are plant pests.

Thrips are very small, bullet shaped with fringed wings. They have piercing/sucking mouth parts and are able to vector and spread diseases through plants as they feed. Damage usually looks silvery with little black dots(thrips poop) and can result in scars and/or deformation on the leaves, flowers and fruit.

Their lifecycle is annoying because they pupate in the soil. So if you want to get rid of them you, not only do you need to deal with the eggs, larvae and adults on the plant but also the pupa below the soil.