Heterothrips salicis
Recognition data
Distinguishing features
This species has not been studied by the present authors. It is one of the species in the genus Heterothrips that has small lobes laterally on the posterior margin of the abdominal tergites, these lobes bearing a prominent fringe of microtrichia, as in H. pectinifer .
Related and similar species
The family Heterothripidae includes only four genera, all from the Americas. Rather more than 60 species are currently listed in Heterothrips, and these are found widely between New York and Argentina. These species are likely to demonstrate a high level of host specificity, but good field data has yet to be collected. H. salicis is very similar in structure to H. aesculi Watson from eastern USA.
Taxonomic data
Current valid name
Heterothrips salicis Shull
Original name and synonyms
Heterothrips salicis Shull, 1909: 220
Family placement
Heterothripidae
Biological data
Life history
Breeding in willow catkins
Host plants
Salix spp. (Salicaceae).
Tospoviruses vectored
None
Crop damage
None
Distribution data
Area of origin
North America
Distribution
California, Michigan, Illinois