Mouthparts piercing, sucking assisted by a single tooth-like mandible which aids in rasping the plant tissue. Many suck sap from the foliage, flowers or fruit of plants such as roses or citrus.
Some thrips are predators, and a few feed on spider mites.
Thrips have been known to bite agricultural workers, causing a pin-prick sensation. They have chewing mouthparts. Have two or three bristles or tails at tip of abdomen. Thysanura exhibit nonmetamorphosis. They are household pests, feeding on such items as paste, paper, crumbs, etc.