thrips

Thân thiện

A gardener examines a leaf for tiny thrips.

Definition

Noun 1. A small insect: Any of numerous tiny, slender insects of the order Thysanoptera. They are characterized by having fringed wings (if winged) and asymmetrical mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking. Most species feed on plant sap, and many are significant agricultural pests, damaging crops by their feeding and sometimes by transmitting plant viruses.

Examples of Usage

• The rose leaves were silvery and distorted, a classic sign of thrips infestation.
• Farmers monitor for thrips in onion fields because they can cause severe crop loss.
• Under the microscope, the thrips revealed its distinctive elongated body and fringed wings.

Advanced Usage

• As a collective noun: The word "thrips" is both singular and plural. One insect is a thrips, and many are also called thrips.
  • A single thrips can lay dozens of eggs.
  • The sticky traps caught hundreds of thrips.

Variants and Related Words

• Thysanoptera (n): The scientific order name to which all thrips belong.
• Thrip (n): A common, though technically incorrect, singular form used informally. The standard singular remains "thrips."

Synonyms

• Thunderfly (n): A common name for thrips, especially those that occasionally enter homes.
• Blight insect (n): A general, non-scientific term for small insects that damage plants.

Related Phrases & Context

• Thrips damage: Characteristic plant damage caused by thrips feeding, often appearing as silvery streaks, stippling, or deformed growth.
  • The gardener identified thrips damage on the gladiolus flowers.
• To be infested with thrips: A phrase describing a plant or crop heavily affected by these pests.
  • The greenhouse was infested with thrips, requiring immediate treatment.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of various small to minute sucking insects with narrow feathery wings if any; they feed on plant sap and many are destructive

Từ đồng nghĩa

• thrip
• thripid