Based on field cage studies,Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande) successfully overwintered and reproduced during the winter months in North Carolina. A field survey for thrips vectors of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was conducted during the winter and spring of 1990–1991 and 1991–1992 in North Carolina. Plant, litter, and soil samples were collected from three geographically distinct regions in North Carolina. Plant samples included 51 wild host species and five winter crops. Three species of TSWV vectors,Frankliniella fusca(Hinds),F. occidentalis, and ThripstabaciLindeman, were collected from plant samples.F. fuscawas the most abundant TSWV vector in plant samples and was collected from 30 wild host species and five winter crops. FewF. occidentalisandT. tabaciwere collected from plant samples.T. tabaciwas the most abundant vector collected from litter samples, andF. occidentaliswas the second most abundant. Very few thrips were recovered from soil samples. Terebrantia thrips larvae were collected from 28 wild host species, five winter crops, and litter samples. In addition to TSWV vectors, 23 thrips species in the family Thripidae and 1 species in the family Merothripidae were collected from wild hosts, winter crops, or litter samples. The highest number of thrips species were observed in litter samples.