Chilothrips occidentalis

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

This species has not been studied by the present authors. Although similar in structure to C. pini the females have the tenth abdominal segment unusually elongate, almost tube-like.

Related and similar species

The species of Chilothrips are similar to Oxythrips species, but have the mouth cone unusually elongate. Five species have been described, three from North America, one from China and one from Japan. The two species from California described by Stannard (1973), C. occidentalis and C. rotrameli, both have the tenth abdominal tergite exceptionally elongate, whereas C. pini was described from Maryland with a more normal tenth tergite. The only specimens from California that have been studied by the present authors agree with the character states given for C. pini, but there is a possibility that several species exist in this genus, each breeding within the male cones of specific members of the genus Pinus and Cupressus.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Chilothrips occidentalis Stannard

Original name and synonyms

• Chilothrips occidentalis Stannard, 1973: 110

Family placement

Thripidae, Thripinae

Biological data

Life history

Probably breeding in male cones

Host plants

Cupressus pygmaea (Cupressaceae)

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

None

Distribution data

Area of origin

Western USA

Distribution

California