[Aim]  To investigate the relative preference of Thrips hawaiiensis for different banana tissues, the symptoms of crop damage caused by this pest, and its distribution on banana plants. [Methods]  Symptoms of T. hawaiiensis damage to different plant tissues were surveyed and the relative preference of T. hawaiiensis for different banana bud tissues were tested using a Y-tube olfactometer in a laboratory. [Results]  The bracts, fruit axis, stamen and pistils, and young fruits of banana plants can all be damaged by T. hawaiiensis. The main damage symptom are raised black spots on the epidermal surface. The average number of black buds was 2 361.2 on young fruits, 537.7 on the pistil and stamens and 97.7 on the axil. The number of black spots on the dorsal surface of fruits was significantly higher than on the ventral or lateral surfaces (P<0.05). Compared to the control, the relative preference of T. hawaiiensis for young fruits, stamen and pistils, bracts, pseudostems, leaves and the fruit axis was, respectively 83.3 %, 73.3 %, 73.3 %, 45.0 %, 38.3 % and 40.0 %. A significant preference for young fruits was apparent (P<0.001). There was no significant preference for young fruits over bracts (P>0.05), but both were preferred over stamen and pistils. [Conclusion]  T. hawaiiensis can damage different tissues of banana buds, including young fruits, stamen and pistils, bracts and the fruit axis. Young banana fruits are significantly more attractive to T. hawaiiensis than other tissues. These results provide a reference for identifying T. hawaiiensis damage on banana plants, and the comprehensive prevention and control of this pest.