The first two instars are called larvae. In the suborder Terebrantia, these are followed by the third and fourth instars which are inactive, do not feed, and have external wing pads. The third instar is called a prepupa and the fourth the pupa, and are often spent on the ground in soil or litter. In the suborder Tubulifera, the third and fourth instars are prepupae and the fifth pupa. The two sexes of thrips are similar in appearance, but the females are usually larger in size and lighter in color.
Thrips run, crawl, and jump and can move rapidly.
A great number of thrips are plant feeders. A very important aspect of thrips is the transmission of virus diseases. Tomato spotted wilt virus, is transmitted by the western flower thrips, tobacco thrips, and onion thrips.