Thrips are frequently found in pockets, cracks, or crevices on host material. Look for silvery feeding scars on leaf surfaces of host plants, especially alongside the midrib and veins. Heavily infested plants are characterized by silvered or bronzed appearance of leaves, stunted leaves and terminals, and scarred and deformed fruits. Individuals may be found on all parts of many kinds of plants during the outbreak stage. The adult, egg, and two larval stages are found on the host.
Pupae occur in the soil or among leaf litter.
They are generally deposited into the leaves, flowers, and fruit. Eggs hatch in 3 days. Larvae are pale, transparent yellow in color, and similar in appearance except for size. They are similar to the adults in body form, but lack wing buds or wings and have smaller eyes. When the second stage larvae are fully fed, about 3 days after hatching, they crawl to the ground.