OMAFRA’s Greenhouse IPM Specialists have curated this page to help you find all the latest resources on the invasive pest, Thrips parvispinus, which is mainly a pest of tropical ornamentals and peppers.
Resources include webinars, blog post, magazine articles, scientific articles and more.
Note: Additions since the last update are indicated in purple.
Current Known Host Range in NA
This is a list of plant species IPM specialists, consultants and growers have seen T. parvispinus cause damage on (host plants). However, not all host plants are necessarily reproductive hosts (i.e. plants T. parvispinus can complete their full development on). This list will continue to evolve as we get more information.
New species added to the list in 2025 include Crotons.
| Common Name | Species name | Damage | Reproductive Host? |
| Gardenia | Gardenia spp. | Leaves and flowers | Yes |
| Laceleaf | Anthurium spp. | Heavy stippling on leaves | Yes |
| Rocktrumpet | Mandevilla & Dipladenia spp. | Brown scarring on leaves, damage growth tips, scar flowers | Yes |
| Schefflera | Schefflera arboricola | Brown scarring on leaves | Yes |
| Orna. / Bell peppers | Capsicum spp. | Brown scarring on leaves, infest flowers | Yes |
| Hoya | Hoya spp. | Leaf abortion | Unsure |
| Prayer plant | Calathea spp. | White scarring on new growth | Unsure |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus rosa | Stippling on leaves and flower scarring | Yes |
| Frangipani | Plumeria spp. | Leaf damage | Unsure |
| Fig tree | Ficus spp. | Brown scarring on leaves | Yes |
| Periwinkle | Vinca major & Vinca minor | Stippling on leaves and flower scarring | Unsure |
| Winter berry holly | Ilex verticillata | Damage foliage | Yes |
| Sweet alyssum | Lobularia maritima | Typical thrips feeding damage on leaves | Yes |
| Garvinea/ hardy gerbera, Gerber daisies | Gerbera hybrid; Gerbera jamisonii | Damage to flowers only | Unsure |
| Sweet potato vine | ipomea spp. | Crinkly leaves | Unsure |
| African daisy | Osteospermum spp. | Unsure | |
| Poinsettia | Euphorbia pulcherrima | Leaf stippling similar to other thrips feeding | Unsure |
| Strawflower | Xerochrysum bracteatum | Unsure | |
| Croton | Croton | Unsure |
Identification and Scouting
- Simple key for growers to identify thrips species (including Parvispinus), developed by OMAFA and Vineland
- Quick reference scouting sheet for dark thrips (based on size) developed by Dr. Ahmed, University of Florida
- “Is it Parvi or Not Parvi?” Quick Reference Infographic:
- Details on how to monitor for Parvispinus in the greenhouse developed by S. Jandricic, OMAFA
- Field guide for dark thrips in ornamentals in Florida, developed by Dr. Zee Ahmed, 2024 NEW (Download below):
Pesticide Recommendations
- Canadian pesticide rotation guide for Parvispinus: ONFloriculture blog (and downloadable PDF) by Judy Colley (Plant Products) and Sarah Jandricic (OMAFA)
- Pesticides for Parvispinus: Results of an on-farm trial ONFloriculture blog
- Sepro pesticides for Parvispinus rotation guide (United States): by J.C. Chong
- Efficacy of Conventional and biorational insecticides for Thrips parvispinus Scientific paper by Dr. Alexandra Revynthi’s lab (University of Florida)
- “Pesticides for Pesky Parvispinus” (Canadian Recommendations) Greenhouse Canada Magazine by Sarah Jandricic, OMAFA
- Options to manage Thrips parvispinus IR4 presentation
Other IPM Strategies
- The latest research on Thrips parvispinus from Florida (mites, microbials and more!). ONFloriculture blog, April 2025 NEW
- A meaner mite for a bader bug. Grower Talks, Feb 2025, Jeremy Weber (Koppert) NEW
- UVC for Thrips control Grower Talks, Oct 2024, by Laura Barth (AFE) NEW
- Can we control Parvipsinus without pesticides? Greenhouse Canada Magazine, October 2024 NEW
- Dipping cuttings to reduce Parvispinus on incoming plant material (ONfloriculture blog):
- Trap plants for Parvispinus Grower Talks Magazine, Feb 1, 2024 “Setting the Trap for Thrips Parvispinus”
Webinars
- University of Florida Parvispinus Research Updates. March, 2025: UofF, Dr. Alexandra Revynthi NEW
- Preparing for Parvispinus Feb 27, 2024: AFE Webinar, Dr. Sarah Jandricic NEW
- “Pain in the Parvi”: Progress on Parvispinus IPM Jan 29, 2024: GrowON Webinar with Dr. Sarah Jandricic (OMAFA) and Judy Colley (Plant Products)
- Potential Solutions for Thrips parvispinus: May 30, 2023: GrowON Webinar:
- Thrips parvispinus: Identification, Monitoring and Potential Controls: May 10, 2023: Thrive series: presented by Florida and Ontario researchers and extension agents
- A New Invasive Pest, Thrips parvispinus, a Florida Perspective. May 4, 2023: Palm Beach County Extension Webinar
Relevant Websites
- Tropical Research & Education Centre, Thrips parvipsinus page (run by Dr. Alexandra Revynthi)
- Mid-Florida Research and Education Centre page on Thrips parvispinus
- Thrips parvispinus identification, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (IFAS)
- CABI Digital Library, Thrips parvispinus entry by the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International
- EPPO Global Database, Thrips parvispinus entry by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
Selected Scientific Articles (Open Access)
- Ataide et al. 2025. Potential Dip Treatments to disinfest cuttings of Thrips parvispinus. NEW
- Ataide et al. 2024. Efficacy of conventional and biorational insecticides
- Gleason et al. 2023. First records of invasive agricultural pests Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922) and Thrips setosus Moulton, 1928 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Canada.
- Jahori et al. 2014. Morphological and genetic variation of Thrips parvispinus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in chili plantation (Capsicum annuum L.) in the lowland and highland of Jambi Province, Indonesia
- Maharijaya et al. 2011. Screening of pepper accessions for resistance against two thrips species (Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips parvispinus)
- Manideep et. al. 2023. Field Evaluation of Biorationals and Chemical Insecticides against Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in Chrysanthemum
- Thorat et al. 2022. Invasive Thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Karny) an Invasive Threat : A Review
- Tyagi et al, 2015. Morphological and DNA Barcoding Evidence for Invasive Pest Thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Thripidae: Thysanoptera), Newly Recorded From India.
- Yadav et al. 2023. Thrips parvispinus (Karny): Pest of concern to Indian farmers in Chilli – A Review.