Melon thrips, Thrips palmi, took their toll on vegetable crops in the Lockyer Valley, Queensland, over several seasons in the late 1990s and into the new millennium. Potato and cucurbit crops in particular suffered severe damage. During the same period, melon thrips were detected in northern horticultural regions of Queensland. In addition the potential exists for this pest to spread further to temperate regions, especially to glasshouses. The establishment and spread of melon thrips threatens horticultural crops by affecting the quality and quantity of supplies and market accessibility. At meeting with stakeholders in October 2000 it was agreed that immediate action was necessary to address the rising threat of melon thrips.

Melon thrips is a relatively new pest to establish itself in horticultural crops in Queensland. Worldwide there have been 50-90% losses of a variety of crops, including potatoes, capsicum, eggplant, cucurbits, and beans.