Adults are small (1 mm in length) and slender insects with fringed wings, reddish brown heads and white bands on the forewings and abdomen. The antennae are 6 segmented. A hand lens or microscope is likely to be necessary for identification of these small insects.
Larvae are spindle-shaped, wingless and light yellow in colour.
Adults and nymphs cause flecks of discolouration giving the foliage a dusty appearance.
Not much is known about the Privet Thrips. Adults lay eggs in late spring on foliage and several generations can develop over the season. A single host plant is generally attacked until it is unfit for feeding, at which time the thrips will seek out a new host plant.
Johnson, W.T. and Lyon, H.H. 2003. Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs. Second Edition. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. 560 pp.
Alford, D. 2003. A Color Atlas of Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. 448.