Chilothrips occidentalis
Recognition data
Distinguishing features
This species has not been studied by the present authors. Although similar in structure to C. pini the females have the tenth abdominal segment unusually elongate, almost tube-like.
Related and similar species
The species of Chilothrips are similar to Oxythrips species, but have the mouth cone unusually elongate. Five species have been described, three from North America, one from China and one from Japan. The two species from California described by Stannard (1973), C. occidentalis and C. rotrameli , both have the tenth abdominal tergite exceptionally elongate, whereas C. pini was described from Maryland with a more normal tenth tergite. The only specimens from California that have been studied by the present authors agree with the character states given for C. pini , but there is a possibility that several species exist in this genus, each breeding within the male cones of specific members of the genus Pinus and Cupressus.
Taxonomic data
Current valid name
Chilothrips occidentalis Stannard
Original name and synonyms
Chilothrips occidentalis Stannard, 1973: 110
Family placement
Thripidae, Thripinae
Biological data
Life history
Probably breeding in male cones
Host plants
Cupressus pygmaea (Cupressaceae)
Tospoviruses vectored
None
Crop damage
None
Distribution data
Area of origin
Western USA
Distribution
California