Avocado thrips

Avocado thrips are unusual amongst thrips in that adult and immature stages are readily observed on upper leaf surfaces. When disturbed they run to leaf edges and move to the leaf's under surface. Thrips larvae are most commonly found on the underside of leaves. Males and females are present in the population and males are the smaller of the two sexes. Adults are straw yellow in color, and have thin dark lines running across the upper surface of the abdomen. The wings are brown in color when folded on top of the abdomen.

Larvae are pale yellow in color. Feeding damage to foliage is observed on upper and lower leaf surfaces and bronze colored damage initially follows leaf veins. As the thrips population and feeding damage increases bronzing is observed in random patterns between leaf veins. Avocado thrips larvae and adults feed on developing fruit while hidden under the calyx. Fruit is susceptible to damage until it exceeds the size of a half dollar. Feeding scars develop from the calyx and as feeding continues scars radiate towards the top of fruit. Fruit scarring can be severe resulting in "alligator skin". Avocado thrips has only been found feeding on avocado. In greenhouse experiments, avocado thrips has been observed feeding on young foliage of Hass, Lamb Hass, Zutano, Bacon, Lulu, and Topa-Topa.