Using their tube mouthparts thrips pierce leaves and exude digestive enzymes. When the plant material is partially digested it is pumped back into the thrip. They may accumulate in large numbers on foliage. when present their narrow wings have fringes. Many species have been found to have a world-wide distribution. This is likely to be due to their easy distribution by wind and by trade. Thrips is both the singular and plural name. You find one thrips and two thrips!
Suborder Terebrantia
References
CSIRO, 2014. Australian Insect Families, viewed 22 June 2014, http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/order_overview.aspx?OrderID=41011&PageID=overview .
David L. Jones, 1986. Pests Diseases and Ailments of Australian Plants. Lothian Pub Co.Australia.
Froggatt, W. W. 1904. Studies on Australian Thysanoptera : the genus Idolothrips, Haliday. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 29: 54-57.