Frankliniella australis Morgan, 1925

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 : 19

Frankliniella australis Morgan ( Fig. 14 )

Diagnosis. Unique amongst the intercepted species, females of F. australis have a pair of small oval pore plates on abdominal sternite III ( Fig. 14A ). Also, Lima and Miyasato (2017) reported the antennal segment VIII is long relative to antennal segment VII ( Fig. 14B ).

Distinguishing features. Color. Body dark, forewings dark, basally pale, legs dark with fore tibiae paler, mid and hind tibiae paler at femora-tibia junction ( Fig. 14C ). Eyes with many ventral pigmented facets. Structure. Head with the PO1 setae, OC3 setae in position 2B ( Fig. 14D ). Pronotum with 3–7 mAM setae ( Fig. 14D ). Upper surface of the hind coxae with microtrichia. Abdominal sternite III usually with a pair of oval pore plates, sometimes pore plates may be present on other sternites. Abdominal tergite VIII posteromarginal comb complete.

Interception frequency. Very common.

Region(s) of interceptions. South America.

Comments. In addition to F. australis, Lima and Miyasato (2017) reported seven more congeners with females that possess sternal pore plates.

Figures

Figure 14. A–D) Frankliniella australis. A) Abdominal sternite III. Arrows indicate the pore plates. B) Antennal segments VII and VIII. C) Body. D) Head and pronotum.