The redbanded thrips, Selenothrips rubrocinctus, invaded Florida some years ago from the West Indies. Redbanded thrips are so called because of the bright red band across the middle of the pale immature stages. Adults are tiny (¹/₁₆ inch long) and dark to black with alternating pale and dark segments of the antennae. Adults also have the red band, but the band is usually obscured by their dark pigment. Feeding is almost entirely on foliage and fruits with this thrips most abundant on inner parts of host plants. All stages are usually present at the same time. The minute, kidney-shaped eggs are inserted in leaves and fruit. Females form a small, dark "blister" above each egg by excreting a liquid that soon dries. Females lay 25 to 50 eggs. Development is relatively slow (up to six weeks from egg to adult).

Redbanded thrips are tiny and dark. The nymphs have the red bands.

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Redbanded thrips are tiny and dark. The nymphs have the red bands.

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Pupae of the redbanded thrips also have a red band.

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Pupae of the redbanded thrips also have a red band.

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In Florida redbanded thrips infest avocado, guava, mango, and sweet gum as well as numerous host trees, shrubs, and flowers. Infested leaves have small, pale spots on top. Heavy damage causes russeting. Infested plants become silvery or bleached and the leaves become papery and wilt or die. The leaves and fruit become spotted with tiny, dark drops of excrement. Undersurfaces have pale spots, drops of excrement, and the thrips themselves.

Redbanded thrips cause stippling, bleaching, and russeting.

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Redbanded thrips cause stippling, bleaching, and russeting.

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Redbanded thrips are the prey of natural predators such as spiders, mites, lacewings, bugs and even other species of thrips that are predatory. These natural controls are effective most of the time. Should this thrips become too abundant, redbanded thrips are not particularly resistant to pesticides. The neem seed extracts, pyrethrums, pyrethroids, and Orthene should all give adequate control. When used as directed, pyrethroids are very toxic to insects but are not particularly hazardous to humans and pets (other than fish-avoid using pyrethroids around pools, ponds, and streams). Most of the insecticides found in plant centers and big box stores that are labeled for residential use in the landscape should also control redbanded thrips.

• Common name: redbanded thrips, scientific name: Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) (Insects: Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Denmark, H. A. and D.O. Wolfenbarger. 2019 (reviewed). Featured Creatures. Entomology & Nematology, FDACS/DPI, EDIS, Publication Number: EENY-99.
• Insect and Related Pests of Flowers and Foliage Plants. Baker, J. R. ed. 1994 (revised). North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service publication AG-136.
• Thrips of Ornamentals in the Southeastern US. Funderburk, J., S. et al. After 2007. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. Publication ENY-845.
• Extension Plant Pathology Publications and Factsheets
• Horticultural Science Publications
• North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual

For assistance with a specific problem, contact your local Cooperative Extension Center.

This Factsheet has not been peer reviewed.