Pest profile

Myoporum Thrips

Klambothrips myopori · Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae[2]

Myoporum thrips is an invasive thrips from New Zealand that distorts new growth of Myoporum and can kill well-established plants.[1]

Myoporum thrips damage, new Myoporum leaves twisted into lumpy gall-like growths
Myoporum thrips damage, new Myoporum leaves twisted into lumpy gall-like growths. (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults are slender, dark brown to black, 2 to 2.5 mm long, with fringed wings.[1]
  • New leaves show gall-like distortion and curling, with thrips colonies inside the folds.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Cuban laurel thripsA close relative with nearly the same look and life history that produces similar symptoms on Ficus.[1]
Greenhouse thripsUC IPM notes adults may be confused with greenhouse thrips; myoporum thrips stays on Myoporum.[1]

Where it lives

It damages Myoporum along the California coast from San Diego to San Francisco and has attacked naio in Hawaii.[1]

US map: states where the cited source reports it (coastal california; naio in hawaii).

Biology and life cycle

At 86 degrees F a generation takes about 38 days, and in warm areas it breeds year-round.[1]

In California it has been seen on Myoporum laetum and M. pacificum, but not M. parvifolium.[1]

Damage and signs

  • One female on new growth can cause noticeable distortion within four hours; persistent damage stunts tips and can kill plants.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UC IPM mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Avoid planting susceptible Myoporum; choose resistant species or other plants.[1]

Sanitation

Prune, bag and dispose of infested tips and dead plants, without over-pruning, which can stress or kill Myoporum.[1]

Traps and physical control

Tap shoot tips over white paper early in the season to find females before they hide in leaf folds.[1]

Pesticides

Contact sprays fail because thrips hide in folds; systemic insecticides are most effective, never during bloom or with bees present.[1]

Common questions

Why are the tips of my Myoporum twisted and lumpy?
Myoporum thrips feeding causes gall-like distortion of new leaves.[1]
Will soap or oil sprays stop myoporum thrips?
No; the thrips shelter inside twisted growth where contact sprays don't reach.[1]

Sources

  1. University of California Statewide IPM Program, “Myoporum Thrips (Pest Notes).” ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/myoporum-thrips/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Klambothrips myopori taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/354247 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.