Gladiolus thrips emerge milky-white, but soon turn dark brown, except for the apical portions of the legs which are lighter. The wings, brown apically and lighter basally, appear to be darker with a grey band when folded over the back. This thrips is about 1.5 to 1.65 mm long.
Males are smaller slightly smaller and lighter in color than the females.
The eggs are opaque, white, kidney-shaped, and about 0.34 mm long and 0.2 mm in diameter. The larvae of the gladiolus thrips are light or pale yellow with red eyes and are about 1.0 mm long when fully developed. The pupae move only when disturbed and develop through 2 instars. Both stages are dark orange with red eyes and about 1.2 mm in length. Gladiolus thrips is now found wherever gladioli are grown.