Bagnalliella desertae

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

This species has not been studied by the present authors, but see Cott, 1956: 86-88.

Related and similar species

Cott (1956) distinguished the three species of Bagnalliella recorded from California on the following basis: B. yuccae has two sensoria on antennal segment III and four on IV; B. mojave Hood has one sensorium on antennal segment III and two on IV; B. desertae Hood has one sensorium on antennal segment III and three (? four) on IV. Despite this, variation in the number of these sensoria within and between populations requires further study. Tree (2010) noted that in a population of B. yuccae introduced to Australia the number of sensoria on antennal segment III varied from 2–3, and the number on segment IV varied from 2–4. Nine species are listed in the genus, seven being from Yucca plants in southwestern USA, and these are clearly closely related to each other in structure. In contrast, the other two (from New Guinea and South Africa) should probably be placed in other genera. B. yuccae has been distributed widely around the world in association with its cultivated host-plant.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Bagnalliella desertae Hood

Original name and synonyms

• Bagnalliella desertae Hood, 1927: 201

Family placement

Phlaeothripidae, Phlaeothripinae

Biological data

Life history

Breeding on leaves

Host plants

Yucca schidigera (Agavaceae).

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

None

Distribution data

Area of origin

Western USA

Distribution

California, Arizona