Adult thrips have two pairs of narrow wings which are fringed with hairs.
Adults emerge continuously throughout the warm months.
Adults and immatures may be found in corn at any time during the growing season. On young seedlings their feeding makes the plants look stunted. A common sign of a heavy thrips infestation is distorted leaves that turn brownish around the edges and cup upward. Usually the plants will grow away from the problem, just as they outgrow severe ragging resulting from wind damage. At ear formation, thrips and thrips injury provides entry for infection by Fusarium spp.