Arctic Thrips vs Banded-wing Thrips
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Thrips | Banded-wing Thrips |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aptinothrips rufus | Aeolothrips fasciatus |
| Order | Thysanoptera | Thysanoptera |
| Family | Thripidae | Aeolothripidae |
| Size | 0.5-1.5 mm | 1.5-2.0 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Farmland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Arctic and subarctic worldwide, Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, northern Canada | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Arctic Thrips
A tiny, wingless thrips that feeds on grasses in Arctic and subarctic habitats. Its brown body is barely visible without magnification. Populations reproduce parthenogenetically in the Arctic where males are absent.
Did You Know?
This thrips can reproduce without males through parthenogenesis, a useful adaptation in Arctic habitats where finding a mate would be difficult.
Banded-wing Thrips
A predatory thrips with dark-banded wings commonly found on crop plants. It preys on pest thrips, mites, and small insects.
Did You Know?
Banded-wing thrips are among the most important natural enemies of pest thrips in North American alfalfa fields.