Drought associated with climate change is undoubtedly one of the most prodigious challenges facing agricultural production and human food security throughout the world. Regarding the increasing incidence and potency of drought under ongoing global warming, determining the potential impacts of water-deficit tension on insect demographic attributes is a key element in success of any management program. By subjecting the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis, to well- watered and water-stressed cherry tomato plants, the impacts of this stressor on thrips performance were assessed. The key life-history parameters of WFT on fully-irrigated plants (FIT), 80% and 60% FIT were compared. WFT performed worse on drought-stress plants. Thrips specimens developed faster on 60% FIT and the female individuals were less fecund. When reared on plants grown under 60% full irrigation treatment (FIT), WFT displayed lower net reproductive rates and intrinsic and finite rates of increase compared to those reared on stress-free plants. Moreover, with increasing water stress intensity, the sex ratio became more male-biased which might in turn cause mate shortages and consequently a reduction in population growth. Our analysis showed that activities of the enzymes CAT and POD are elevated under WS conditions, and this might be correlated with reduced WFT fitness. In total, 60% FIT drought stress could have the capacity to lessen the abundance and upsurge risk of this destructive pest species under future climate change scenarios. The knowledge gained in this study will aid tomato producers understand how drought stress impact WFT demographic traits, and to foresee if pesticide treatments will be required to manage this infamous pest.

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