Under field conditions it is difficult to identify thrips to a species level. It is usually necessary to use a microscope. Antennal colors are variable and not reliable for diagnosis. The melon thrips is a bisexual species. Females reproduce with or without copulation.
Unmated females produce progeny by parthenogenesis.
Only males are produced by unmated females. Mated females produce predominately females. They may lay over 200 eggs in the course of their 2 month life span. Their activity peaks during hot weather when updrafts may carry them great distances. To date, there are few cultural control methods known that are highly effective in controlling melon thrips.