Frankliniella gardeniae Moulton, 1948

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 : 39

Frankliniella gardeniae Moulton ( Fig. 32)

Diagnosis. The elongate shape of the antennal segment II distinguishes F. gardenia e from the similar Frankliniella inca* Hood. Both possess a similar chalice-shaped pedicel and complete abdominal tergite VIII posteromarginal comb.

Distinguishing features. Color. Body, forewings, legs pale ( Fig. 32A). Pigmented ventral eye facets with the 0-1-2 pattern. Structure. Antennal segment VII longer than wide ( Fig. 32B), segment III basal collar indistinct, pedicel chalice-shaped, distal half weakly angled ( Fig. 32C), segment II elongate ( Fig. 32C). Head with the PO1 setae, OC3 setae in position 2B ( Fig. 32D). Pronotum usually with 2 mAM setae ( Fig. 32D). Upper surface of the hind coxae with microtrichia. Abdominal tergite VIII posteromarginal comb complete.

Interception frequency. Uncommon.

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

Comments. The unique holotype specimen of F. gardeniae was presumably a US port of entry inspection interception.