Thrips-day

Thrips (scientific name Thysanoptera) are generally tiny (1-2mm) insects that are often found in flowers and on leaves. They are one of the more obscure insects.

Their scientific name originates from the  Greek words thysanos (fringe) + pteron (wing).

They differ from almost all other insects in that they have fringed wings, and that along with their tiny size means that they don’t fly in the sense a Bee or Fly does but alomst ‘swim’ or glide up on warm air currents.

Here is a picture of a Giant Thrip (family Phlaeothripidae), probably one of the larger species in the world. For reference its about 8-10mm long.

I found it in an emergence trap from central Australia. You can see the fringe of hairs on its wings.