Ankothrips yuccae

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Both sexes fully winged. Body, legs and antennae light brown to brown, antennal segments III–IV paler; fore wings fuscous with base a little paler; male pale brown. Antennae 9-segmented, IX longer than VIII, sensoria transverse on III–IV, segment II apex prolonged ventro-laterally into serrate lobe. Head with ocellar setae I arising on conical, slightly bifurcate tubercle, setae III arise within ocellar triangle. Hear with 3 pairs of prominent postocular setae. Pronotum posterior margin with 5 pairs of prominent setae. Mesonotum with no microtrichia. Metanotum striate medially, with median setae near posterior margin. Abdominal tergite VIII median setae scarcely 0.3 as long as tergite; tergite X with paired trichobothria well developed. Sternite VII posterior margin with pair of lobes each bearing two setae at base.

Male tergite IX without pairs of stout setae medially.

Related and similar species

Currently there are 12 species listed in the genus Ankothrips, seven of which are from western USA with five from California (Bailey, 1957). Of the others, one is from SW Africa, and four from southern or eastern Europe.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Ankothrips yuccae Moulton

Original name and synonyms

• Ankothrips yuccae Moulton, 1926: 119

Family placement

Melanthripidae

Biological data

Life history

Breeding in flowers.

Host plants

Yucca whipplei (Agavaceae).

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

None

Distribution data

Area of origin

USA, California

Distribution

California