Thrips

Diversity and distribution

The insect class Thysanoptera, commonly known as thrips, consists of approximately 6,000 known species. These tiny insects are characterized by their fringed wings, asymmetrical mouthparts, and their elongated, slender bodies. Thysanoptera is divided into two suborders, Terebrantia and Tubulifera, with several families and genera within each suborder.

Thysanoptera insects can be found around the world in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. They inhabit a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas, where they can be found on plants, feeding on plant tissues, pollen, or other small insects.

Life cycles of Thysanoptera

The life cycle of Thysanoptera insects consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Female Thysanoptera lay their eggs within plant tissues, depending on the species. Upon hatching, the larvae feed on plant cells, pollen, or small insects. Thysanoptera larvae undergo two larval stages before entering a non-feeding, pre-pupal stage, and then a pupal stage. Adult Thysanoptera insects emerge from the pupal stage and continue to feed on plant tissues or small insects, depending on the species.

Thysanoptera and fly fishing

Thysanoptera insects, due to their small size and predominantly terrestrial lifestyle, are not typically relevant to fly fishing. While some thrips species feed on small insects, their primary food sources are plant tissues and pollen, which do not coincide with the diets of most fish. Additionally, Thysanoptera rarely end up in the water.