Tospovirus-vector
Guides
Thrips tabaci
onion thrips, potato thrips, tobacco thrips, cotton seedling thrips, tomato thrips
Thrips tabaci is a minute agricultural pest thrips species known by multiple common names reflecting its broad host range. Adults measure 1–1.3 mm and exhibit highly female-biased sex ratios in many populations, with reproduction primarily by parthenogenesis. The species causes direct damage through rasping-sucking feeding and serves as a vector for multiple plant viruses including tomato spotted wilt virus and iris yellow spot virus. It is considered the most serious insect pest of onion crops in tropical regions and has achieved global distribution.