Pests Beneficial Organisms Insect-Transmitted Diseases Management Options Other Resources Contact a Specialist Thrips — Thripidae Thrips are mostly very small insects that the average person would never notice. Most live on plants, and they especially like flowers. Many thrips are pests, some are predators of other insects and mites, and some can feed on both insects/mites and plants. General Information Most common species on potato: Frankliniella occidentalis, western flower thrips.   Western flower thrips has a very large host range, and occurs almost everywhere potatoes are grown in the Pacific Northwest.   Thrips feed by draining cells near the surface of the leaf.   Potatoes can be colonized early in the season.   The factors that lead to thrips outbreaks in potatoes are not well-understood.   Large populations can build in nearby crops such as corn, then colonize potatoes.   Western Flower Thrips Thrips General Life Cycle