How do thrips primarily feed on plants?

Thrips primarily feed on plants by slashing plant tissue and sucking out plant juice. This feeding behavior is characteristic of thrips, as they possess specialized mouthparts known as stylets that allow them to puncture plant cells and extract the cell contents, including sap and plant juices. This method not only causes direct damage to the plant tissue but can also lead to stress responses in the plant, which may affect its overall health and growth.

While some other pests may employ different feeding techniques such as chewing or scraping, the distinctive action of thrips—using their slashing feeding method—is what sets them apart and contributes to their impact on ornamental and turf crops. This unique feeding behavior can lead to symptoms such as stippling, discoloration, and distortion in the affected plant tissues.