Do Thrips Fly?

Thrips are the small black insects you can find on a range of plants in the garden. You may be unable to recognise these insects because of their size. However, if they are gathered in a bunch, you can see them clearly on plants. But how do they move from plant to plant? Do thrips fly?

Yes, thrips do fly and have a set of wings to help them to do so.

Like most insects, thrips can fly. However, they cannot be considered good at flying and can only do so to an extent. There are different species of thrips, and most of the adults have wings that they use to fly.

However, thrips usually prefer crawling as their primary form of transportation rather than flying.

Do Thrips Jump?

While thrips can fly, they are not exactly the best at it. These tiny insects can move around and jump. However, this does not mean that your garden will be filled with jumping insects.

Fortunately, due to their small size, it is unlikely that you will actually spot them flying around your garden.

Since thrips can jump and crawl, they are able to move quickly, which makes it hard to control them. Within a short amount of time, thrips can take over your garden.

Jumping or flying is not the only way thrips move around in gardens. Thrips can move around by using water as a medium whether you bring something damp from the outside or you are dealing with laundry and washing. This is how you can accidentally introduce thrips to your house and then your house plants.

It is wise to keep an eye out for these insects by doing regular checks in your garden. Moreover, if you suspect that one of your plants has been infested by thrips, it is best to isolate it, so the infestation does not spread.

Do Thrips Have Wings?

There are different thrips species out there, each with its unique characteristics. Hence, physical attributes vary from one insect to the other. 

Some species of thrips may have wings, while some may not. Those thrips which have wings are usually fringed. Thrips use their wings to fly, but they do not rely solely on them for travelling from one plant to the other.

The insects can crawl and jump to reach their destination and only fly when they need to. They are also unlikely to fly long distances. To travel long distances, thrips will rely on wind and breezes to help them move along.

A breeze can also move thrips from one plant to another without them actively seeking out a new plant. This is how an infestation can impact multiple plants.

How Do Thrips Move?

The only way you can have the best garden is to be knowledgeable about the threats. One thing that can stop you from having the garden of your dreams is insect infestation, particularly thrips. Thrips are dangerous because they can be mobile and be transported via wind and water over long distances. 

The young larvae do not have developed wings. However, adult thrips have wings that they use to fly from one destination to the next.

You may not see thrips moving around in your garden as they are barely noticeable due to their small size. However, you can figure out that thrips are causing problems by looking at the damage. 

Thrip damage is noticeable due to the silver streaks and white patches they leave behind on plant leaves.

The thrips suck on plants which results in white patches. Moreover, a full-blown infestation can result in stunted growth and damaged flowers. Thrips can also spread a virus in your plants which is usually found in tomatoes. 

Hence, due to these fast-moving insects, it is important to take fast action against them before your plants suffer damage.

Summary 

Thrips are tiny insects you may find in your garden. It is not always easy to spot thrips with your naked eye because of their small size. These insects can fly, which is why they spread quickly in gardens. However, thrips do not use flying as their primary source of travel; they will also jump and crawl from one place to another.

Thrips use mediums like the wind and water to enter gardens and other places. 

You can prevent flying thrips from spreading in your garden by taking a few measures such as insecticides, introducing natural predators, and adding reflective mulch. This will control the damage thrips entail. Unfortunately, because of their small size, it can be tough trying to remove them all – and knowing you have done so!