54 THE FLORIDA BUGGIST 
many species there are from three to twenty or more hairs of a 
second row present near the end of the front wings. | 
The body is usually provided with a few stout hairs or spines. 
These are most numerous towards the end of the abdomen but 
many species have prominent ones on the angles of the thorax 
and often a long stout one (post-ocular) some distance behind 
each eye. 
The legs end in peculiar expansile membranes which are re- 
sponsible for an older name of the order, Physopoda, or ‘‘blad- 
der-feet’”’. 
There are two quite different types of ovipositors, a long saw 
and a softer membranous tube. Those thrips having the latter 
type are placed in the sub-order Tubulifera. Those having the 
saw in the sub-order Terebrantia and in the family Aolothripi- 
dae or Thripidae, according to whether the ovipositor is turned 
up or down. 
This order of insects is most closely related to the true bugs, 
Hemiptera, and was formerly placed in that order. 
HABITS. Most species are plant feeders. They suck the sap 
from the more tender parts of the plants. Some are predatory 
on other small insects and mites. One of our Florida species— 
may his tribe increase—feeds on the eggs and crawlers of white- 
fly. All thrips are of potential economic importance. 
LIFE History. As a typical life history we may give that of 
our most common species, the Florida Flower Thrips. The eggs 
are laid in the tissue of tender plants just below the surface in 
a shallow slié made by the female. They hatch in about three 
(2-4) days. The larvae feed and grow for an average of 15 
days (the minimum was ten and the maximum 24 days in sum- 
mer), molting three times. The last immature stage is the 
pupa. This is peculiar. Like insects with a’ complete meta- 
morphosis, thrips do not feed during this time and move about 
but little. But like their relatives, the bugs and other insects 
with an incomplete metamorphosis, the wing pads are present 
during this stage. Their development is thus intermediate be- 
tween the two types. A final molt and the adult appears full- 
winged and with fully developed reproductive organs. The 
females feed for about five days and then begin to lay eggs. The 
completed life history therefore covers about 23 days. This 
would allow 16 generations per year. But breeding ceases 
altogether during the coldest weather of our winter and pro- 
