Field surveys conducted within major cotton (Gossypium spp.) production areas of southwest Oklahoma revealed 15 species of Thysanoptera (thrips) . Samples were taken biweekly from 5 May 1990 to 9 August 1990. Besides cotton, adjacent habitat (wheat, ditch, alfalfa, and CRP grass) was sampled. Sweep net samples were taken from adjacent habitat. Plant samples were taken in cotton fields throughout the summer.

The greatest number of thrips species (7) was collected from the cotton terminal samples prior to flowering. Franklinielia occidentalis was the most commonly collected species in both adjacent habitat and cotton. Collection frequency exceeded 74% for adjacent habitat and 91% for cotton.

Frankliniella tritici was the next most commonly sampled species. Collection frequencies ranged from 3:8% to 8.8% for cotton samples. Lower collection frequencies occurred in adjacent habitat ranging from 5.6% on alfalfa to 8.6% on wheat.