Haplothrips ruber

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

This species has not been studied by the present authors, but see Cott, 1956: 114-115

Related and similar species

H. ruber remains known from a single female, which has capitate postocular setae but is otherwise considered similar to H. halophilus. The genus Haplothrips is one of the three most species rich genera of Thysanoptera, and currently includes about 245 species worldwide (Mound & Minaei, 2007). These species are found mainly from Europe across the Old World. No Haplothrips species is endemic to the Neotropics, although a few species come from southern South America (Mound & Zapater, 2003). Moreover, only 17 Haplothrips species are listed from Mexico and North America (Mound & Marullo, 1996), with six of these recorded from California (Hoddle et al. 2004). Little is known of the biology of the Californian species, although elsewhere the species of Haplothrips are associated particularly with the flowers of Poaceae and Asteraceae.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Haplothrips ruber (Moulton)

Original name and synonyms

• Trichothrips ruber Moulton, 1911: 42

Family placement

Phlaeothripidae, Phlaeothripinae

Biological data

Life history

Not known

Host plants

One female collected from Azalea flowers.

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

None

Distribution data

Area of origin

Probably Western USA

Distribution

California