Thrips vectored Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a primary concern in pepper production in the southern USA. This region has a complex of species that consists of Frankliniella occidentalis, F. bispinosa, and F. fusca, which can vector TSWV. Here we examine how interspecific differences in the ecology of these species may affect virus transmission and the role that the key thrips predator Orius insidiosus can play in limiting the spread of tomato spotted wilt in field grown pepper.