The Thripinae belong to the common thrips family Thripidae and include around 1,400 species in 150 genera.

[1] A 2012 molecular phylogeny found that the Thripinae was paraphyletic; further work will be needed to clarify the relationships within the group.

The chili thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis, is an Asian pest on many crops, including chili peppers, roses, strawberry, tea, ground nuts, and castor bean.

The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, has recently expanded its range from western North America to large portions of Europe and Asia through the trade of greenhouse plants.

[4] The following genera belong to the subfamily Thripinae: Data sources: i=ITIS,[5] c=Catalogue of Life,[6] g=GBIF,[7] b=Bugguide.net[8]