Ankothrips aequalis
Recognition data
Distinguishing features
Both sexes fully winged. Body and legs largely brownish yellow, sternites with dark brown antecostal ridge; antennal segments IV � IX light brown, I � III paler; forewings weakly shaded. 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 slightly bifurcate tubercle with almost parallel sides, setae III arise within ocellar triangle. Head with three pairs of long postocular setae. Pronotum posterior margin with seven or eight pairs of prominent setae, one posteroangular pair at least three times as long as discal setae. Mesonotum with microtrichia on sculpture lines of posterior half. Metanotum medially with sculpture almost linear and bearing microtrichia, median setae near posterior margin. Abdominal tergite VIII median setae more than 0.5 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.
Related and similar species
This species is apparently known only from four females and three males. Currently there are 12 species listed in the genus Ankothrips, seven of which are from western USA , with five recorded 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 aequalis Moulton
Original name and synonyms
Ankothrips aequalis Moulton, 1926: 20
Family placement
Melanthripidae
Biological data
Life history
Presumably breeding in flowers.
Host plants
Known only from specimens taken from Prunus flowers (Rosaceae).
Tospoviruses vectored
None
Crop damage
None
Distribution data
Area of origin
Western USA
Distribution
California, Washington