Frankliniella brevicaulis Hood, 1937

Skarlinsky Ii, Thomas L., 2024, The identification of the flower thrips, Frankliniella Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) intercepted at U. S. ports of entry, Insecta Mundi 2024 (39), pp. 1-64 : 24

Frankliniella brevicaulis Hood ( Fig. 18 )

Diagnosis. This species is quite similar to F. parvula Hood and Frankliniella zeteki* Hood. The three can be differentiated by the shape of the antennal segment III pedicel. The basal portion of the pedicel of F. brevicaulis is cup-shaped ( Fig. 18A ); in F. zeteki * the basal portion is nearly simple with obtuse lateral angles and distal to the angles is cup-shaped ( Fig. 18B ), and in F. parvula the basal portion of the pedicel has small acute lateral angles and is distally elongate.

Distinguishing features. Color. Body dark, forewings dark, basally paler, femora shaded, tibiae paler ( Fig. 18C ). Eyes without ventral pigmented facets. Structure. Antennal segment III pedicel cup-shaped ( Fig. 18A ). Head with the PO1 setae, OC3 setae in position 2A ( Fig. 18D ). Pronotum usually with 2 mAM setae ( Fig. 18D ). Upper surface of the hind coxae without microtrichia. Abdominal tergite VIII posteromarginal comb complete. ( Fig. 18E ).

Interception frequency. Rare.

Region(s) of interceptions. South America.

Comments. Banana flowers are a host of F. brevicaulis ( Monzon et al. 2009) .

Figures

Figure 18. A–B) Pedicel of antennal segment III. A) Frankliniella brevicaulis. B) Frankliniella zeteki, holotype,