What I've done in the past is point the camera lens through a magnifying glass. Kind of needs a bit of juggling but worth a try. If you have a camera with a macro lens that might be enough. Even if you can get a fuzzy version of the shape of the critter it would help. I don't think thrips would feed on a potato slice - they typically scrape at above ground plant parts and suck up the juice.
The reason I asked what kind of plant it was is so that we could look up which thrips species affects that plant and from there what colour it is likely to be. Thrips can be a sort of white colour but it depends on the species. I've seen lots of white linear springtails on occasion though (that's the other test, see if they jump when you disturb them). I've had a quick look and am not seeing anything about whether thrips affect Pachira and if so which thrips species - off to have another look.
Edit, did find one but I don't know how likely it is in Ohio unless the plant was shipped from somewhere they occur - anyway a Chinese study suggests that Pachira can be affected, but not much, by this thrips, which starts of whitish but turns black. So you'd most likely be seeing different colour stages if that's what it is:
http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcor...
This is a springtail for comparison:
https://extension.entm.purdue....
I'm thinking from your description that symphylans would be too big?
http://mint.ippc.orst.edu/symp...
