Recap of March 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector

This month, we took a closer look at thrips (Order: Thysanoptera), a group of tiny insects that can have outsized impacts on plants. Although there are more than 7,000 thrips species worldwide, only a relatively small number are considered plant pests. Many thrips species actually feed on fungi or decaying organic material such as leaf litter and play a role in decomposition.
Thrips can be distinguished from other insects by their narrow, fringed wings and their unique rasping–sucking mouthparts. These mouthparts scrape plant tissue and then suck up the contents, leading to symptoms such as leaf discoloration, distorted growth, aborted buds or flowers, reduced plant vigor, and scarring on fruit. Plant-feeding thrips may attack leaves, buds, flowers, or fruit, depending on the species. In addition to direct feeding damage, some thrips are also capable of transmitting plant pathogens, including tospoviruses.

During the webinar, we covered several thrips species, but we spent significant time discussing Thrips parvispinus, an emerging pest of concern. Native to Asia, this species has spread to multiple regions worldwide, including parts of Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. In Florida, T. parvispinus was first detected in 2020 in Orange County and has since been found in additional locations across the state. However, its full distribution in Florida is still being documented. Thrips parvispinus is known to damage a wide range of vegetable, ornamental, and fruit crops. In Florida, it has caused notable problems in Gardenia and Mandevilla production, particularly in south Florida. Due to its potential economic impact, T. parvispinus is currently a regulated pest under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS‑DPI).

Thrips are extremely small and can be difficult to detect on plant material, especially at low population levels. Because plants are frequently moved through trade and distribution, thrips can easily be transported to new locations. In fact, many detections of new thrips species in Florida have occurred on incoming plant shipments. If you notice unusual insects or damage, especially something you haven’t seen before, contact your local county Extension office. Early detection is critical. Catching a new pest early may allow us to eradicate it or limit its spread, helping protect Florida’s agriculture and landscapes.

Resources on invasive thrips

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What is the upcoming schedule?

We are meeting online via Zoom from 12:00PM-1:00PM on the First Friday of every month from Sept 2022-Aug 2026. Maybe longer too! Please visit this blog for registration information and the upcoming schedule for Sept. 2025-2026.

Questions?

Contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, morgan0402@ufl.edu

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Visit the Florida First Detector Website

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