thrips

American  

[thrips] / θrɪps /

noun

PLURAL

thrips

1. any of several minute insects of the order Thysanoptera, that have long, narrow wings fringed with hairs and that infest and feed on a wide variety of weeds and crop plants.

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thrips British  

/ θrɪps /

noun

1. any of various small slender-bodied insects of the order Thysanoptera, typically having piercing mouthparts and narrow feathery wings and feeding on plant sap. Some species are serious plant pests

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Etymology

Origin of thrips

1650–60; < New Latin < Greek thríps (singular) woodworm

Example Sentences

Researchers experimented with the effect of red, white, black and combination-colored nets on deterring onion thrips from eating Kujo leeks, also called Welsh onions.

From Science Daily

The yellow attracts fungus gnats, aphids, thrips, leaf miners and other harmful pests feeding on your plants.

From Seattle Times

But warming temperatures driven by climate change are creating more hospitable conditions for thrips, the insect that carries INSV, to thrive.

From Los Angeles Times

It bothers me in exactly the same way that taking another gardening class or reading about thrips on the Master Gardener website does.

From Washington Post

To eradicate thrips, Lalicata washes her plants in the shower and treats the leaves with an insecticide or neem oil.

From Washington Post