The wings have microscopic fringes of setae .
Males are similar to females but smaller and always light yellow.
Western flower thrips eggs are delicate, cylindrical, slightly kidney shaped, smooth and translucent white. First stage larvae are very tiny, almost worm-like insects that are translucent white. Second stage larvae are also translucent white, but are similar to the adult in size and shape. Both instars have red eyes. Prepupae are similar to second stage larvae except that the wing buds are externally visible.