Ankothrips aequalis

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Both sexes fully winged. Body and legs largely brownish yellow, sternites with dark brown antecostal ridge; antennal segments IV–IX light brown, I–III paler; fore wings weakly shaded. Antennae 9-segmented, IX longer than VIII, sensoria transverse on III – IV, segment II apex prolonged ventro-laterally into serrate lobe. Head with ocellar setae I arising on slightly bifurcate tubercle with almost parallel sides, setae III arise within ocellar triangle. Head with 3 pairs of long postocular setae. Pronotum posterior margin with 7–8 pairs of prominent setae, one posteroangular pair at least three times as long as discal setae. Mesonotum with microtrichia on sculpture lines of posterior half. Metanotum medially with sculpture almost linear and bearing microtrichia, median setae near posterior margin. Abdominal tergite VIII median setae more than 0.5 as long as tergite; tergite X with paired trichobothria well developed. Sternite VII posterior margin with pair of lobes each bearing two setae at base.

Related and similar species

This species is apparently known only from four females and three males. Currently there are 12 species listed in the genus Ankothrips, seven of which are from western USA , with five recorded from California (Bailey, 1957). Of the others, one is from SW Africa, and four from southern or eastern Europe.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Ankothrips aequalis Moulton

Original name and synonyms

• Ankothrips aequalis Moulton, 1926: 20

Family placement

Melanthripidae

Biological data

Life history

Presumably breeding in flowers.

Host plants

Known only from specimens taken from Prunus flowers (Rosaceae).

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

None

Distribution data

Area of origin

Western USA

Distribution

California, Washington