Klamath Weed Beetle vs Gladiolus Thrips
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Klamath Weed Beetle | Gladiolus Thrips |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysolina quadrigemina | Thrips simplex |
| Order | Coleoptera | Thysanoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Thripidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 1.2-1.5 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe (native), introduced to North America, Australia | Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Klamath Weed Beetle
A dark bronze to coppery-brown beetle with a convex, heavily punctured body. It was introduced to control the invasive Klamath weed (St. John's wort) and became a classic biocontrol success story.
Did You Know?
Its introduction to California in the 1940s reduced Klamath weed infestations by over 99%, saving millions of acres of rangeland.
Gladiolus Thrips
A specialist pest of gladiolus and related plants, causing silvery streaking on leaves and flower damage. It can survive in stored gladiolus corms.
Did You Know?
Gladiolus thrips can persist through winter by hiding in stored gladiolus bulbs, reinfesting new plantings the following season.