Frankliniella kelliae Sakimura, 1981

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 : 46

Frankliniella kelliae Sakimura ( Fig. 39 )

Diagnosis. This pale species is similar to Frankliniella difficilis* Hood. The females of the congeners are indistinguishable. However, in male specimens, a complete abdominal tergite VIII posteromarginal comb on F. kelliae and absence of the comb on F. difficilis * separates the two congeners (Sakimura 1981).

Distinguishing features. Color. Body, forewings, legs pale. Abdominal tergites often with small dark anteroangular blotches ( Fig. 39A ). Pigmented ventral eye facets with the 0-1-2 pattern. Structure. Antennal segment III pedicel mushroom-shaped, lateral angles blunt ( Fig. 39B ). Head with the PO1 setae, OC3 setae in position 2A ( Fig. 39C ). Pronotum usually with 4 mAM setae ( Fig. 39C ). Upper surface of the hind coxae with microtrichia. Abdominal tergite VIII posteromarginal comb complete ( Fig. 39D ).

Interception frequency. Rare.

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

Comments. The type series of F. difficilis * specimens were described from Guadeloupe and Martinique ( Hood 1925). Interestingly a thrips faunal survey of Guadeloupe and Martinique by Etienne et al. (2015) recorded collection of F. kelliae but no subsequent collection of the similar F. difficilis *.

Figures

Figure 39. A–D) Frankliniella kelliae. A) Body. B) Pedicel of antennal segment III. C) Head and pronotum. D) Abdominal