Scolothrips longicornis

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

This species has not been studied from California by the present authors.

Related and similar species

About 20 species are listed worldwide in this Old World genus. Some of these are distinguished from each other on the basis of small differences in body color (zur Strassen, 2003), and the significance of these color differences needs to be studied in reared populations. The name S. sexmaculatus is applied to individuals that have three dark markings across each forewing, whereas those that lack the distal dark marking are considered to represent other species. However, the available material suggests that these dark markings are small or absent in individuals that have developed at high temperatures. S. longicornis appears to be a larger insect than S. pallidus , with more pronounced dark markings on the forewings, and longer antennae and pronotal setae, but unlike S. sexmaculatus the abdomen has no shaded markings.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Scolothrips longicornis Priesner

Original name and synonyms

Scolothrips longicornis Priesner, 1926: 239

Family placement

Thripidae, Thripinae

Biological data

Life history

Breeding on leaves

Host plants

Predator of Tetranychid mites.

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage