Scolothrips pallidus

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

This species has not been studied 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. Adults that are identified as S. pallidus lack any shaded markings on the abdomen, in contrast to adults identified as S. sexmaculatus . Bailey (1957) considered S. pallidus to be the most common member of the genus attacking mites on Californian crops.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Scolothrips pallidus (Beach)

Original name and synonyms

Thrips pallidus Beach, 1896: 226

Family placement

Thripidae, Thripinae

Biological data

Life history

Breeding on leaves

Host plants

Predator of Tetranychid mites.

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage