ˈthrips noun
Etymology: New Latin Thrip-, Thrips, from Latin thrip-, thrips woodworm, from Greek
1.
a. capitalized : a genus of insects that is the type of the family Thripidae
b. plural thrips : any of numerous insects (family Thripidae) that are of small often minute size, thathave narrow broadly fringed wings with rudimentary nervures, asymmetrical mouth parts used for sucking, and tarsi ending in a peculiar bladderlike structure, and that feed mostly on plant juices and are often destructive pests — see onion thrips , tobacco thrips
2. plural thrips : any of various small injurious insects ; especially : grape leafhopper