Frankliniella regia Hood, 1942

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 : 55

Frankliniella regia Hood ( Fig. 47)

Diagnosis. This species is similar to Frankliniella regina* Hood and Frankliniella regentis * Berzosa. In common, all have 4 to 6 small subapical dorsal setae on the antennal segment VI. Frankliniella regia and F.regina lack discal lines of sculpture on abdominal tergite I, whereas F. regentis has discal lines of sculpture on the tergite. Frankliniella regia has ventral pigmented eye facets and F.regina does not.

Distinguishing features. Color. Body dark, forewings dark, basally pale, legs dark, fore tibiae pale, hind tibiae basally pale ( Fig. 47A). Pigmented ventral eye facets in the 0-1-2 pattern and occasionally the 1-1-2 pattern, with the inner facet distinctly paler than the medial and outer facets. Structure. Antennal segment VI with 4 to 6 small subapical dorsal setae, often arranged in a diamond pattern ( Fig. 47B). Head with the PO1 setae, OC3 setae in position 2B ( Fig. 47C). Pronotum with 2 mAM setae ( Fig. 47C). Upper surface of the hind coxae with microtrichia. Abdominal tergite I without discal lines of sculpture between the campaniform sensilla ( Fig. 47D). Abdominal tergite VIII posteromarginal comb complete, microtrichia 23–28 µm.

Interception frequency. Uncommon.

Region(s) of interceptions. South America.