Word Study
Thrips
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
For further exploring for "Thrips" in Webster Dictionary Online