The flower thrips and the Florida flower thrips are exceedingly similar. They can be separated only by microscopic examination. I mm to 1.25 mm long and yellow, with brown blotching, especially about the middle of the thorax and abdomen.
Males are smaller than females and are lighter in color.
The flower thrips delicate egg is cylindrical, and slightly kidney-shaped, with a smooth pale or yellow surface. The immature thrips is lemon yellow, resembling the adult except for its lack of wings. The Florida flower thrips has been found in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama and is likely distributed in other states of the southern United States. Evidently because of their small size, flower thrips are carried over large areas by frontal wind systems, the maximum rate of migration taking place in early week of June. The flower thrips has also been reported in western states.