Frankliniella pelucensis Skarlinsky and Rugman-Jones

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 : 54

Frankliniella pelucensis Skarlinsky and Rugman-Jones ( Fig. 46 )

Diagnosis. This species is readily separated from most dark body congeners because of its pale antennal segment II. The only other dark body congener known to the author with a pale antennal segment II is Frankliniella regalis* Hood.

Distinguishing features. Color. Body dark, forewings dark, basally pale, femora dark, foretibiae lightly shaded, mid and hind tibiae dark, paler at the tibia/femur junction ( Fig. 46A ). Pigmented ventral eye facets with the 1-2-2 pattern. Structure. Head with the PO1 setae, OC3 setae in position 2B ( Fig. 46B ). Pronotum with 2–4 mAM setae ( Fig. 46B ). Upper surface of the hind coxae with microtrichia. Abdominal tergite VIII posteromarginal comb complete, microtrichia 11–15 µm ( Fig. 46C ).

Interception frequency. Rare.

Region(s) of interceptions. Central America and the Caribbean.

Comments. Intercepted from blackberries.

gite VIII posteromarginal comb.

Figures

Figure 46. A–C) Frankliniella pelucensis, holotype, USNM 01207643. A) Body. B) Head and pronotum. C) Abdominal ter-