Predatory Thrips vs Grain Thrips
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Predatory Thrips | Grain Thrips |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aeolothrips intermedius | Limothrips cerealium |
| Order | Thysanoptera | Thysanoptera |
| Family | Aeolothripidae | Thripidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 1.2-1.8 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Predatory Thrips
A beneficial predatory thrips that feeds on spider mites, other thrips, and small insects. It has distinctive banded wings and is valued in biological control.
Did You Know?
This thrips is one of the few species in the order that is considered beneficial, as it preys on pest mites and other thrips.
Grain Thrips
A widespread pest of cereal crops including wheat, barley, and oats. Adults are dark brown and migrate in swarms during warm summer days.
Did You Know?
On hot summer days, grain thrips swarm in enormous numbers and are colloquially known as "thunder bugs" because they seem to appear before storms.