What is one unexpected benefit of thrips?

What is one unexpected benefit of thrips?

• A. Pollination.
• B. Increased pest attraction
• C. Faster growth of plants
• D. Leaf curling and distortion

Answer: (A)

Thrips can act as pollinators because some species visit flowers to feed on pollen, and as they move from bloom to bloom they can transfer pollen between plants. This incidental pollination can aid fertilization and seed or fruit set, which is an unexpected benefit in settings where other pollinators are limited, such as in certain greenhouse ornamentals or flowering turf. However, thrips are primarily pests; their feeding can cause stippling, scarring, and distortion of leaves and flowers, and they can transmit plant viruses. The other options describe damage or negative effects, not benefits.

Thrips can act as pollinators because some species visit flowers to feed on pollen, and as they move from bloom to bloom they can transfer pollen between plants. This incidental pollination can aid fertilization and seed or fruit set, which is an unexpected benefit in settings where other pollinators are limited, such as in certain greenhouse ornamentals or flowering turf. However, thrips are primarily pests; their feeding can cause stippling, scarring, and distortion of leaves and flowers, and they can transmit plant viruses. The other options describe damage or negative effects, not benefits.