Frankliniella ecuatoriana 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 : 34

Frankliniella ecuatoriana Skarlinsky and Rugman-Jones ( Fig. 27)

Diagnosis. Frankliniella ecuatoriana is similar to Frankliniella alonsoae* Hood. The fore tibiae of F. alonsoae * are dark, in contrast the fore tibiae of F. ecuatoriana are paler. Also, the males of F. alonsoae * are uniformly dark and those of F. ecuatoriana are dark with a pale translucent pronotum.

Distinguishing features. Color. Head, thorax and abdomen dark. Legs with all femora dark, foretibiae pale, middle and hind tibiae dark, slightly paler at the tibia-femur junction ( Fig. 27A). Pigmented ventral eye facets with the 1-2-2 pattern ( Fig. 27B). Structure. Antennal segment VI with 3 small setae on large bases lying transversely between the outer and inner sense cones. Head with the PO1, OC3 setae in position 2B ( Fig. 27C). Pronotum with 4 mAM setae ( Fig. 27C). Upper surface of the hind coxae with several small microtrichia. Abdominal tergite XIII posteromarginal comb complete, microtrichia 18–24 µm ( Fig. 27D).

Interception frequency. Rare.

Region(s) of interceptions. South America.