Tobacco Thrips vs Melon Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tobacco Thrips Melon Thrips
Scientific Name Frankliniella fusca Thrips palmi
Order Thysanoptera Thysanoptera
Family Thripidae Thripidae
Size 1-1.5 mm 1.0-1.3 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America Asia, Oceania, North America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Tobacco Thrips

A major pest of tobacco, peanut, and cotton seedlings in the southeastern United States. It transmits tomato spotted wilt virus to multiple crop species.

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Did You Know?

Tobacco thrips can overwinter in soil and leaf litter, emerging in spring to attack new seedlings before natural predators become active.

Melon Thrips

A pale yellow thrips and serious pest of cucurbits and solanaceous crops. It is a quarantine pest in many countries.

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Did You Know?

Melon thrips is listed as a quarantine pest in the European Union due to its destructive potential.