Excellent question.

The news from here https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/chilli-thrips

is not encouraging. I had no idea.

Any mophead hydrangeas by you?

Well, that doesn't sound too promising. I keep hoping for more silver linings from the destruction. *sigh*.

Hydrangeas generally dislike this neck of the woods -- relatively shallow, dry, calcerous soil and really hot, humid summers.

Thanks, Rifis. I guess I'll just head out and tackle the fibrous muck with thorns, formerly known as agave, in the garden. That should distract me from thoughts about thrips. ;-) (We actually have nothing to complain about compared to so many others here in TX, and I count myself very lucky. The loss of cherished plants is a downer, but with a little perspective, it's all good..)

I saw mosquitoes here today :/

Same here sultry...I went for a walk Thursday and got bitten!!