Lily Thrips vs Western Flower Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lily Thrips Western Flower Thrips
Scientific Name Liothrips vaneeckei Frankliniella occidentalis
Order Thysanoptera Thysanoptera
Family Phlaeothripidae Thripidae
Size 1.8-2.5 mm 1-2 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Omnivores Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe, North America, Asia Worldwide
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Lily Thrips

A dark, stout thrips that damages lily bulbs in storage and in the field. It feeds between bulb scales causing brown sunken spots.

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Did You Know?

Lily thrips can remain hidden deep between bulb scales, making them extremely difficult to detect during inspection.

Western Flower Thrips

One of the most economically damaging insects in horticulture. Transmits tomato spotted wilt virus. Despite being tiny, causes billions in crop damage annually worldwide.

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Did You Know?

Thrips are among the smallest flying insects — some species are just 0.5 mm long, yet they can be carried by winds to altitudes of over 3,000 meters.