Thrips are small insects that do not all have wings. Those that have wings have two pairs, which are long and narrow. They have short, multi-sectional antennae.

Many thrips feed off plants and destroy them in their eating. Some of them also carry diseases that the plants can catch and incubate.

Thrips are mostly found on plants, though they can also be found on fungi and small arthropods.

Order Thysanoptera is divided into two suborders which are determined by the shape of the abdomen. These suborders are: Terebrantia and Tubulifera.