Heterothrips salicis

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

This species has not been studied by the present authors. It is one of the species in the genus Heterothrips that has small lobes laterally on the posterior margin of the abdominal tergites, these lobes bearing a prominent fringe of microtrichia, as in H. pectinifer.

Related and similar species

The family Heterothripidae includes only four genera, all from the Americas. Rather more than 60 species are currently listed in Heterothrips, and these are found widely between New York and Argentina. These species are likely to demonstrate a high level of host specificity, but good field data has yet to be collected. H. salicis is very similar in structure to H. aesculi Watson from eastern USA.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Heterothrips salicis Shull

Original name and synonyms

• Heterothrips salicis Shull, 1909: 220

Family placement

Heterothripidae

Biological data

Life history

Breeding in willow catkins

Host plants

Salix spp. (Salicaceae).

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

None

Distribution data

Area of origin

North America

Distribution

California, Michigan, Illinois