Thrips

Thrips are very small insects, most less than 1 mm long and much longer than they are wide. They have fringed wings and assymetrical mouthparts. Thrips are unique in having mouthparts that are not bilaterally symmetrical. Most thrips species feed on plants although a few are predators. Several of the plant feeding species are also vectors of pathogens that cause plant diseases. They can also reproduce asexually giving them an advantage in quick and exponential reproduction.