thrips

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

thrips, n. [L., a woodworm, Gr. .].

 Any one of numerous small species of Thysanoptera, especially those which attack useful plants, as the grain thrips (Thrips cerealium).  [1913 Webster]
" The term is also popularly applied to various other small injurious insects."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

thrips, n. (pl. same) any insect of the order Thysanoptera, esp. a pest injurious to plants.

Etymology

L f. Gk, = woodworm