OMAFRA’s Greenhouse IPM Specialist has 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.
This pest’s common name is now officially the Short Spined Thrips (SST). But we may just continue to call it “Parvi” up here in Canada!
Resources include webinars, blog post, magazine articles, scientific articles and more relating to the biology and management of this pest.
Note: Additions since the last update are indicated in purple.
Current Known Host Range in Ornamental Greenhouses
A host list was published on https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lsolab/thrips/thrips-parvispinus/ in the early days of SST discovery in Florida. However, these are only reported hosts from the literature, and some may not be reproductive hosts (i.e. plants T. parvispinus can complete their full development on).
To shed more light on the risks to ornamental growers in North America, below is a list of ornamental plant species IPM specialists, consultants and growers have directly observed T. parvispinus to colonize and damage (host plants). If larvae or large populations were present (without another known host plant nearby), they are indicated as reproductive hosts. This list will continue to evolve as we get more information.
New species added to the list in 2026: Alocasia, Bonzai, Crown of thorns, Citrus (ornamental), Cyclamen and Lisianthus. We have now also updated to the list to include common weed hosts in and around the greenhouse.
| ORNAMENTALS | |||
| Common Name | Species name | Damage | Reproductive Host?* |
| African daisy | Osteospermum spp. | Browning of flower petals | Unsure |
| Alocasia | Alocasia spp. | Scarring of leaves | Yes |
| Bonzai | Ficus microcarpa | Scarring of leaves | Yes |
| Croton | Codiaeum variegatum | Scarring of leaves | Yes |
| Citrus (ornamental) | Citrus spp., including C. limon, C. hystrix, citrus x latifolia, citrus x paradisi, citrus x senensis | Scarring of leaves | Yes |
| Cyclamen | Cyclamen persicum hybrids | Scarring of leaves, feeding in flowers | Yes |
| Dracena | |||
| Fig tree | Ficus spp. | Leaf damage | Yes |
| Frangipani | Plumeria spp. | Brown scarring on leaves | Unsure |
| Gardenia | Gardenia spp. | Leaves and flowers | Yes |
| Garvinea/ Hardy Gerbera | Gerbera hybrid | Damage to flowers only | Unsure |
| Gerber daisies | Gerbera jamisonii | Damage to flowers only | Unsure |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus rosa | Stippling on leaves and flower scarring | Yes |
| Hoya | Hoya spp. | Leaf abortion | Yes |
| Laceleaf | Anthurium spp. | Heavy stippling on leaves | Yes |
| Lisianthus (potted & cut) | Eustoma spp. | Infestation and scarring of flowers, some foliage damage | Yes |
| Peppers (Ornamental & Bell peppers) | Capsicum spp. | Brown scarring on leaves, infest flowers | Yes |
| Periwinkle | Vinca major & Vinca minor | Stippling on leaves and flower scarring | Unsure |
| Poinsettia | Euphorbia pulcherrima | Leaf stippling similar to other thrips feeding | Unsure |
| Prayer plants | Calathea spp., Maranta spp. | White scarring on new growth, infestation of flowers | Yes |
| Rocktrumpet | Mandevilla & Dipladenia spp. | Brown scarring on leaves, damage growth tips, scar flowers | Yes |
| Schefflera | Schefflera arboricola | Brown scarring on leaves | Yes |
| Strawflower | Xerochrysum bracteatum | Unsure | |
| Sweet alyssum | Lobularia maritima | Typical thrips feeding damage on leaves | Yes |
| Sweet potato vine | ipomea spp. | Crinkly leaves | Unsure |
| Winter berry holly | Ilex verticillata | Damage foliage | Yes |
| WEED HOSTS | |||
| Hairy Bittercress | Cardamine hirsuta | N/A | Yes |
| Horseweed | Conyza canadensis | N/A | Yes |
* Reproductive host confirmed in literature OR confirmed by OMAFA specialist observing all life stages on host plant in Ontario.
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 Guide on our Thrips ID Workbook Page (download below)
- 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 (Download below):
Pesticide Recommendations / Programs
- Managing Parvi in Mandevilla Part 3 – Reducing Costs in Early Production: ONFloriculture blog by S. Jandricic NEW
- Managing Parvi and other pests in Mandevilla Part 1 – propagation: ONFloriculture blog by S. Jandricic NEW
- 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 S. 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)
- UVC for Thrips control Grower Talks, Oct 2024, by Laura Barth (AFE)
- 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 on Parvispinus Control
- The Road to Thrips Parvspinus Control: Where We Are and Where We’re Going: Sept, 2025: GrowON webinar with Dr. Sarah Jandricic, detailing current pesticide programs and potential biocontrols.
- University of Florida Parvispinus Research Updates. March, 2025: UofF, Dr. Alexandra Revynthi
- Preparing for Parvispinus Feb 27, 2024: AFE Webinar, Dr. Sarah Jandricic
- “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)
- Saito and Buitenhuis,.2025: Investigating Anystis as a Biocontrol for Parvispinus.
- Ataide et al. 2025. Potential Dip Treatments to disinfest cuttings of Thrips parvispinus.
- 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.