Until recently, Thrips setosus Moulton, 1928 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) has been regarded as endemic to Japan, occurring in open and greenhouse fields. The thrips causes direct feeding damage as well as transmits Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) to agricultural vegetables and ornamentals. In 2014, it was found on Hydrangea in the Netherlands and then also confirmed as a invasive pest in the other European countries such as France and Germany. Interestingly, Hydrangea originated in Southern and Eastern Asia has not previously been recorded as a host plant. In Korea, since its first discovery in a commercial Hydrangea greenhouse in Gimje, Jeonbuk Province this year, the species was additionally found on the same crop in Jeonnam and Gyeonggi Provinces. Occording to the farmers, all Hydrangea plants has been imported from the Netherlands. Molecular phylogenetic study using COI partial gene strongly suggests that the thrips may have recurrently invaded with infested Hydrangea plants from Europe.

Thrips setosus Moulton, 1928 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), one of the Tospovirus vectors, was found at a commercial greenhouse in Korea. It damaged to leaves of hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). The thrips widely distributes in Japan, being regarded as its origin. Recently, it invaded in Europe such as the Netherlands, France, and Germany. Unlike Japan, it was found on Hydrangea plants in European countries. In Korea, the thrips was recorded in 1974 by Woo. However, examination of voucher specimens reveals that the record is not true. According to the collection data since 2000, its distribution in Korea is rarely limited in Jeonbuk and Jeju. For identification, representative morphological characteristics and COI barcoding results are provided with possibility of introduction from Europe.