Poecilothrips dens

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

This species has not been studied by the present authors.

Related and similar species

The genus Poecilothrips currently includes three species; P. albopictus is widespread, one species is from South Africa, and P. dens Moulton is from California. This third species is known from only two specimens (Cott, 1956) and, since the metanotum is longitudinally reticulate rather than striate (Mound & Marullo, 1996), it is possibly not closely related.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Poecilothrips dens (Moulton)

Original name and synonyms

• Trichothrips dens Moulton, 1907: 60

Family placement

Phlaeothripidae, Phlaeothripinae

Biological data

Life history

Not known, possibly breeding on dead branches

Host plants

Presumably feeding on fungal hyphae on dead branches.

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

None

Distribution data

Area of origin

Western USA

Distribution

California