Most species drop to the soil for the prepupal and pupal stages, although a few stay on the plant for these stages. After the pupal stage, the adult emerges and repeats the cycle. The length of the cycle depends on temperature. In mild climates, the cycles continue year-round, with as many as 12 to 15 cycles, depending on weather. In summer, adult thrips may live 26 days, although overwintering adults may live through the winter.
Dispersal is primarily on the wind.
Although thrips have wings, they tend to rely on wind currents to carry them as much as several miles. Since thrips are poor fliers, they tend to spread slowly through a plant or garden, unless a heavy migration arrives throughout the garden. Heaviest migrations are in May and early June, as buds for the first flush of bloom form. The thrips that affect roses are not specific to roses. When they first appear in the spring, it is usually on flowering and fruit tree blossoms, wildflowers, such as daisies and dandelions, and grasses.