Of the 280 species of thrips reported from Florida, 60 appear to be relatively recent introductions, including important plant pests such as western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), melon thrips (Thrips palmi) and cacao thrips (Selenothrips rubrocinctus). Others, like Echinothrips americanus or Caliothrips phaseoli, are probably native forms that sometime become pests.
The collection of thrips at the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA) includes some 28,500 slides and alcohol vials. The bulk of the collection are specimens collected on plants and submitted for identification by DPI and USDA inspectors, or by the public. In addition, the FSCA is the repository of the J. W. Watson collection, one of the most prolific authors on thrips taxonomy at the beginning of the 20th century.