Bagnalliella desertae
Recognition data
Distinguishing features
This species has not been studied by the present authors, but see Cott, 1956: 86-88.
Related and similar species
Cott (1956) distinguished the three species of Bagnalliella recorded from California on the following basis: B. yuccae has two sensoria on antennal segment III and four on IV; B. mojave Hood has one sensorium on antennal segment III and two on IV; B. desertae Hood has one sensorium on antennal segment III and three (? four) on IV. Despite this, variation in the number of these sensoria within and between populations requires further study. Nine species are listed in the genus, seven being from Yucca plants in southwestern USA, and these are clearly closely related to each other in structure. In contrast, the other two (from New Guinea and South Africa) should probably be placed in other genera. B. yuccae has been distributed widely around the world in association with its cultivated host-plant.
Taxonomic data
Current valid name
Bagnalliella desertae Hood
Original name and synonyms
Bagnalliella desertae Hood, 1927: 201
Family placement
Phlaeothripidae, Phlaeothripinae
Biological data
Life history
Breeding on leaves
Host plants
Yucca schidigera (Agavaceae).
Tospoviruses vectored
None
Crop damage
None
Distribution data
Area of origin
Western USA
Distribution
California, Arizona