Ankothrips yuccae
Recognition data
Distinguishing features
Both sexes fully winged. Body, legs and antennae light brown to brown, antennal segments III � IV paler; forewings 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