Print Fact SheetChaetanaphothrips orchidii

Distinguishing features

Female fully winged. Body yellow, fore wings pale with brown cross-bands at base and medially; antennal segments V–VI with apex brown. Antennae 8-segmented, VII–VIII slender, III–IV with sense cone forked and slender. Head wider than long; only 2 pairs of ocellar setae, pair III within ocellar triangle. Pronotum with 2 pairs of major posteroangular setae, the external pair no longer than width of antennal segment III; 2 pairs of posteromarginal setae; prosternal basantra with 2 pairs of discal setae. Metanotum weakly reticulate, median setae small and placed well behind anterior margin. Fore wing slender, first vein with 3 setae on distal half, second vein with 3–4 setae. Tergites weakly sculptured medially, posterior margins with complete craspedum; VIII with area of specialised sculpture extending anteromesad from spiracle. Sternites with large lobed craspedum, except medially on VII; median setae on VII arise in front of posterior margin.
Male unknown.

Related species

The genus Chaetanaphothrips comprises about 20 species, most with restricted distributions in S.E. Asia (Nonaka & Okajima, 1992). Three species are widespread in tropical countries, the other two being C. signipennis and C. leeuwenii, and these two species differ from C. orchidii in having only one pair of pronotal posteroangular setae well-developed.

Biological data

Feeding and breeding on leaves, and sometimes causing commercial damage, particularly on Orchids (Orchidaceae), but also on Musa sp. (Musaceae), Citrus (Rutaceae), and various greenhouse plants.

Distribution data

Not recorded from New Zealand, but considered a high risk invader. This species is widespread in tropical and subtropical countries, also in greenhouses in temperate areas. Serious pest of avocado in Israel.

Family name

THRIPIDAE, THRIPINAE

Species name

Chaetanaphothrips orchidii (Moulton)

Original name and synonyms

Euthrips orchidii Moulton, 1907: 52
Euthrips marginemtorquens Karny, 1914: 362

References

Mound LA & Marullo R (1996) The Thrips of Central and South America: An Introduction. Memoirs on Entomology, International 6: 1–488.

Nonaka T & Okajima S (1992) Descriptions of seven new species of the genus Chaetanaphothrips Priesner (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) from East Asia. Japanese Journal of Entomology 60 : 433–447.